Grandma's Christmas Wish

September 1, 2015
A gray grandma bunny expresses her love for her little bunny grandbaby in this sweetly sentimental sequel to Grandma Loves You! (2013). The short, gracefully rhyming text is written in first person from the grandma's point of view, stating her love for her grandchild in different ways. Her Christmas wish is for nothing more than hugs and kisses from the little bunny, and of course the best Christmas present for a grandparent is the great gift of the grandchild's mere existence. In the pictures, the kindhearted grandma helps the bunny put a star on the top of their tree, plays outside with the little one in the snow, and gives her grandchild a Christmas gift of a doll made from a pine cone and twigs. The text is playful and succinct, conveying emotion with just a few well-chosen words that will stand up to inevitable multiple rereadings. Soft-focus, detailed illustrations are filled with light in the rabbits' cozy burrow and in snowy outdoor scenes with falling snowflakes or bright moonlight. The rabbits are utterly charming, with emotionally appealing faces expressing their joy in being together and their loving relationship. Concluding pages include space for a letter from grandmother to grandchild as well as a photo, which makes this more suitable for a gift purchase than for libraries. Perhaps a little too sweet in tone for some, but most grandmas would love to read this to a grandchild. (Picture book. 2-4)

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October 1, 2015

Toddler-PreS-Like the author's previous Grandma Loves You (Sleeping Bear, 2013), this picture book is a love letter from a grandmother rabbit to her young bunny grandchild. Simple rhyming text ("You fill up my heart/with holiday cheer./I love you, my love, /my snowflake, my dear") addressed to the bunny imagines the joys in store at Christmas, from stockings to presents to plenty of hugs and kisses. While the text is only peripherally about the holiday, the full-spread paintings depict a cozy burrow with a Christmas tree, handmade ornaments, and presents; outside glitters a snow-covered landscape. On every page, the rabbits hug, snuggle, play, and gaze into each other's eyes-the grandma/grandchild love is clear. VERDICT Due to the space at the back to write a letter to one's grandchild and paste a photo, this title would work better as a gift book than in a library setting.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

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