THIS BOOK IS A GIFT

Finn the Frog returns for another fourth wall–busting story in Keres’ latest picture-book series entry.

It’s Christmas, and Finn can’t wait to get loads of presents. He has an extensive wish list and two stockings by the fireplace, labeled “Finn” and “Finn Overflow.” But he soon notices that the reader is giving him a strange look, and he asks if they’re the kind of person who thinks giving gifts is better than receiving them: “You ARE. I can tell by your face. So you actually LIKE handing out gifts? Like…for FREE?” After offering the reader a series of rather dubious presents, Finn remembers a time when he received a handwritten card from a friend, which made him feel loved. He scraps his earlier list, gives his pals thoughtful gifts, and realizes that “giving DOES feel BETTER than getting a gummy Santa—and you know how I feel about gummy Santa.” Once again, Finn learns a lesson in a quirky, metafictional story. The message is fairly standard, but the interplay between Finn and the reader still has great appeal. At one point, Finn even encourages the reader to shake a page depicting a snow globe—with him inside it. As ever, Lin’s watercolor-style cartoon illustrations are utterly delightful, showing the little frog experiencing a vast range of emotions.

Another fun romp with a straightforward message.