A Christmas Gift for Little One

Baby-Toddler--Magsamen's "Little One" series about a family of elephants continues with this holiday board book for children. A happy young elephant is seen waiting for Christmas. The elephant goes to sleep anticipating Santa's arrival. On Christmas morning, there are songs and family activities, such as doing Christmas puzzles and playing in a gingerbread-themed playhouse. Messages of hope and love for the child are delivered in rhyming text. The family is very close, as the older elephant and the young elephant are seen decorating the tree and sharing Christmas treats together. Illustrations are outlined with white lines, giving them a homemade, sewn appearance. Several words on each page are bold and larger in size, which helps readers remember the messages about love, both for others and for self, conveyed in the story. The picture book version has three more spreads with additional content. VERDICT This holiday book shares important, loving messages that children will enjoy hearing and caregivers will enjoy sharing.--Tanya Boudreau