Josie's Gift

As Christmas approaches in this pleasingly sentimental tale, young Josie has her heart set on a blue sweater with "twelve shimmering, pearl-white buttons." But with the Depression on, Josie knows she should try to embrace the words of her late father: "Christmas is not about what we want. It is about what we have."Josie finds her sweater under the tree, but it doesn't give her the joy she expects. Luckily, fate offers her a way to heed her father's advice and fill her soul with true Christmas spirit. Ordaz's (The Very First Christmas ) softly lit, realistic portraits take readers to the 1930s while harnessing a range of childlike emotions. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)