What though, wonders James Otis, can he give that will make any difference? Then, thinking about his pastor's words about giving from the heart, he comes up with an idea for a gift for Sarah, the daughter of the family. Nevertheless, when they hear about the troubles of the Temple family, who have lost everything they own in a fire, they make their best effort to contribute to their church's "love box" for the needy family. James Otis' father has recently died, they have lost their farm, and have been forced to move into one of the "shotgun houses" in the Bottoms.
McKissack and illustrator April Harrison. James Otis and his mother are experiencing a difficult time in this lovely, heartwarming picture-book from author Patricia C. The child characters in this book are nine and seven, and that's probably a suitable target audience for this particular story. The few close-up pictures of the characters are really lovely.īecause of the subject matter and the rather scary beginning (kids might never want their dads to take a nap again!) I'd be hesitant to recommend this to really little kids. They're sort of collage-like, with stylized characters and lots of textures.
Despite the fact that they have very little to give, James Otis and Mama come up with a way to contribute, which makes everyone's heart fill with joy. James Otis and his mother hear about a family who has lost everything in a fire. The story itself, though, is pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the colloquial language, and not because of the vernacular it just didn't seem all that consistent. Because of this rather traumatizing beginning, I'd be hesitant to give the book to very young children.īut, as I kept reading, the story grew on me. Taking a page from Disney, the narrator's father "goes to sleep" on the porch and never wakes up, leaving his wife and son destitute. I was almost put off at the very beginning. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple's "love box," but what does he have worth giving? With her extraordinary gift for storytelling, McKissack-with stunning illustrations by Harrison-delivers a touching, powerful tale of compassion and reminds us all that what is given from the heart, reaches the heart. One Sunday before Valentine's Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service- the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them.
It's been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says as long as they have their health and strength, they're blessed. "Misery loves company," Mama says to James Otis. This final, magnificent picture book from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author Patricia McKissack is a poignant and uplifting celebration of the joy of giving. Librarian's Note: The ISBN for this edition, 9780375836152, has also been used for the older title, "The All-I'll-Ever-Want-for-Christmas Doll," also by Patricia C.
0 kommentar(er)
