The Spirit of Christmas: A Giving Tradition

A sandy-haired boy named Drew is concerned about the children around the world who don’t get presents for Christmas, so he gathers his own belongings and arranges for Santa to pick them up to deliver to less fortunate boys and girls. Golden light and sprays of colored dots bathe Cockcroft’s scenes of domestic bliss, as if to make manifest the magic of Christmas, literally and physically. Unfortunately, a do-gooder tone pervades the story: as Drew makes sugar cookies with his smiling mother, “Drew just couldn’t stop thinking about the families with no presents to give,” while at Santa’s Workshop, Santa and the elves rejoice over the gifts that Drew has offered: “What a kind heart little Drew has!” laughs Santa. An uplifting but decidedly unsubtle story about generosity. An edition packaged with a “giving bag” and keepsake bell is also available. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)