Monday, December 14, 2020

Review - A Very Quacky Christmas

A Very Quacky Christmas

by Frances Watts
illustrated by Ann James
Date: 2020
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Fans of Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas will love this funny and moving holiday story about giving and sharing--and believing in Christmas miracles.

"We wish you a quacky Christmas!" Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. "I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world!" But tortoise pal Sebastian is not so sure: "Christmas is not for animals!" With the help of her farmyard friends, who all give something to help make and deliver the presents, this determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for EVERYONE--and to make sure animals all around the world have a very quacky Christmas.

Families will enjoy snuggling up to read this warm and friend-filled Christmas tale of giving and sharing. It's a joyous reminder that with a bit of faith and the love of those around you, anything is possible. . . .

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Samantha the duck is getting ready for Christmas. Her friend Sebastian, a tortoise, doesn't think Christmas is for animals. But that doesn't dampen Samantha's spirits at all. Enlisting the help of the other animals on the farm, she makes presents for other animals around the world... and eventually convinces the stubborn tortoise that the spirit of giving is something that can be for everyone.

The message is sweet and the story itself is cute (if far fetched). The illustrations are simple but appealing, and Samantha's plucky refrain is sure to get readers into the Christmas spirit.

I'd recommend this to readers looking for Christmas picture books that focus on the act of giving rather than on the gifts themselves.

Quotable moment:


Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

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