Author Karen Poth sets the tale in rhyme, telling us about an annual Yuletide Ice Cube Fair where kids eat snow cones and skate in root beer flavored ice rinks, where an Ice Cube Queen is chosen, and the most anticipated event of the year - the ice cube carving contest - is held.
Mayor Bob tells the participants they should "sculpt in seven hours or less/what Christmas means to you." Jerry decides to create Santa and his reindeer, Mr. Lunt, a Christmas tree. Jimmy sculpts a Christmas feast; Laurie, a shopping mall; and Larry creates a huge carving of trumpeting angels. But it's Junior's sculpture that really catches the judges' eyes:
"Now, Junior's word was tiny.
They had to quint to see.
He'd carved a little stable
and a shepherd on one knee.
'This,' declared the judges,
'is the one that wins the prize!
It really shows what Christmas means,
despite the tiny size.'
Christmas isn't all about the big, the bright, the new.
Christmas time means Jesus - and the love he brought for you."
The book ends by quoting Luke 2:10-12.
What I Like: This is a very simple story, but it's message is clear (without being obnoxious): Christmas is about Jesus. Pure and simple. It's a perfect, inexpensive addition to a young child's library.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: about 3 - 7
Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2014; ISBN 978-0310746232; paperback, 23 pgs., $3.99
Buy at Amazon for $3.21
or buy at ChristianBook.com for $2.99
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