Traveler's Gift

I own almost every book from this author and love them all. A Snowman Just named Bob was my first and is one of my favorites and IS my childrens favorite. How can you not like it!!!!

The best children's literature has to meet two criteria: they must be beautifully illustrated and their story/message should resonate with people of all ages, not just with children. This book meets those criteria wonderfully. The illustrations are both fanciful and yet able to tell the story on their own. The story, with its message of appreciating every single day, not just special ones like Christmas, and regardless of your circumstances, is an important one for all ages. Written in verse, the story reads pretty naturally, with only a very few forced rhymes. Note, though, that the message does include our lives being "a gift from above," and some people may have an issue with this part of the message. I, however, thought it reinforced my own beliefs and added to the overall message. It also comforts those feeling a loss or impending loss or serious illness of a family member, which the boy is experiencing, by seeing into the future where, in his baby's eyes, he sees his grandma. The hard sleeve, with its art matching that of the book cover, was a nice bonus (though, realistically, I'm sure it added a little to the price of the book) and can help ensure that this potential family heirloom stays in good shape to be passed down through the years! I also read three other titles by this author. While the illustrations in each were great, one of them disappointed me with its verse. To me, the message was a little too simplistic, even for a child's book, and the verse was more forced and almost skeletal. While you may disagree totally upon reading it yourself, I would not recommend A Snowman Just Named Bob. I was so disappointed--doesn't that sound like a great story?! I would, however, also recommend Twisted Sistahs, about witches who are not mean, and The Secret Santa of Old Stonington. In The Secret Santa..., the children aren't expecting presents and end up getting them, but the story goes a little beyond this kind of trite story and also adds some nice touches, like the animals in the children's toy barns match their own. For a Christmas message that resonates all year, though, I much prefer The Traveler's Gift! In addition to purchasing one for myself, I purchased ones for two of my sisters--one who also loves children's literature and the other who collects snow globes, which play an important role in this story. Definitely a book for children and adults alike! Happy Holidays!