Christian Children's Book Review: Grandma's Christmas Wish

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We're Christian moms who not only love books, but love helping our kids learn to love books - and the Lord. This blog is our ministry, started because we couldn't find a comprehensive website of Christian children's picture book reviews. We hope you find it useful.

Kristina Seleshanko

(Founder, Executive Editor, Reviewer) is the mom of a sweet and sassy 9 year old girl and an active 6 year old son. She's also the author of over 20 books. Visit Kristina at her blog Proverbs 31 Woman.

Christine Irvin

(Reviewer & Special Project Copyeditor) is the mother of Pierce, who is 15, and Natalie, 21. Christine is also the author of 11 children’s books. She lives in Ohio with her husband Bill, her son Pierce, and her dog, Black Velvet. Follow Christine's blog here.

Suzette Ladouceur
(Reviewer) is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mommy to two littles (5 and 2), and wife to a sweet, loving husband. Before choosing to stay at home with her children, she was a teacher for 11 years - 1 year as an elementary music teacher and 10 years as a 4th/5th grade teacher. Learn more about Suzette and her family her blog, The Joy of Homemaking

Lori Z. Scott

(Reviewer) is a mother, educator, and author of the best selling Meghan Rose series - Christian chapter books geared for kids in grades pre-k - 2.

Amy Delmanto

(Reviewer) is a wife, mom, 5th grade teacher and cancer survivor. Her daughter Sydney is 10, son Lucas is 5 and daughter Ella Grace is 4. You can learn more about Amy and her story at her blog, Some of the Best Things in Life are Mistakes.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Grandma's Christmas Wish

For Grandmas looking for a meaningful gift to give a grandchild that just oozes with love, check out Grandma’s Christmas Wish by Helen Foster James.

The story features interactions between a gray-haired grandma bunny and her copper-haired grandchild. Over and over, the doting grandma reassures her little one that baby bunny’s love is the best gift Grandma could receive. She says, “But you with your grin/ and all of your charms,/ you’re my best present,/ just wrapped in my arms.” Throughout the book, Grandma and Bunny frolic, snuggle, and play in the wintery landscape.

Each two-page spread holds four lines of the large lettered rhyming text surrounded by what looks to be watercolor and ink illustrations. And what beautiful illustrations they are! Created by Petra Brown, these pictures are laced with memorable Christmas time images, including a starry, moonlit night, powdery snow, pine trees and holly, charming woodland creatures, and earthy decorations.

The last two-page spread of the book allows Grandmas to personalize the gift. Branches border the left side and frame a page of blank lines. It’s entitled “A Special Letter to My Grandchild”. The right hand side is likewise framed but is open for pasting pictures of Grandma (or perhaps Grandma and Grandchild).

What I Like: Oftentimes it is difficult to write lyrical lines well. Thankfully, this author is able to make the meter and rhyme in this story work! It’s crafted in a singsong manner that makes it easy to read. Even so, the illustrations are what I LOOOOVVVEE most. WOW! They are whimsical and endearing. The pictures alone make this book worth its asking price.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: Preschool- grade 1.

Publisher Info: Sleeping Bear Press, 2015; ISBN: 978-1585369188; Hardback and Kindle, 32 pgs., $15.99
This book is currently not offered by Christianbook.com.

Buy it at Amazon.com for $14.39 or buy the Kindle version for $13.67.

Special Info: Grandmas might also enjoy another book by James starring the same two bunnies called Grandma Loves You! It's $11.45 for the hardcover version, or it's $9.99 for the Kindle version. Grandpas, you don't have to miss out on the fun! James offers a book just for you called Grandpa Loves You! It's $12.89 for the hardcover version, and it's $12.25 for the Kindle Version.