The Spider's Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story

Eric A. Kimmel, illus. by Katya Krenina, Holiday House, $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8234-1743-8

Frequent collaborators Kimmel and Krenina present a genial, straightforward version of this classic Ukrainian folktale, in which an impoverished family receives a miracle because of the kindness they show to the spiders living in their Christmas tree. The rural village setting and details about Ukrainian holiday traditions should appeal to those looking for a less familiar holiday story, and the message that an austere Christmas can still be rewarding is particularly timely. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)

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