A Christmas Spider’s Miracle

During the “bleakest of winters,” a gentle mother spider that resembles a wooden marionette tends to her children in a fir tree; indoors, a peasant mother mends clothing to earn money for her family. When the woman moves the tree inside for her children, she inadvertently saves the spider and her babies from freezing, and the spider repays her by spinning beautiful decorations for the tree. Costanza contrasts cold, velvety blues with the glowing warm tones of the village and cozy cabin in this classic Ukrainian story about generosity and goodwill. Ages 6–10. (Sept.)