The Christmas Boot

by Lisa Wheeler, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Overview

In the spirit of Christmas classics The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas comes a holiday tale about the magic of Santa, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney
 
Lonely Hannah is delighted to discover a warm black boot as she gathers kindling in the forest. A poor woman, she doesn't have proper shoes on her cold feet. "Glory be! I only wish I had your mate," she says to the boot, and the next morning, to her great surprise, there is not just one boot but two sitting by her bed! More wishes bring even better gifts—but the best is still to come: A visitor arrives at her door—a man with a big white beard, wearing a red suit and only one boot. Who could this magical visitor be? Santa Claus, of course! And he has one more surprise in store for Hannah: She wakes up the next morning to find a new puppy waiting for her!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735227712
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/18/2016
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	32 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lisa Wheeler is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for children. She lives in southeast Michigan.

Jerry Pinkney was one of America’s most acclaimed illustrators. He won the Caldecott Medal, five Caldecott Honors, five Coretta Scott King Awards, five Coretta Scott King Honors, five New York Times Best Illustrated Awards, the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show Lifetime Achievement Award, and many other prizes and honors. His long list of celebrated titles includes Mirandy and Brother Wind, The Little Red Hen, The Little Match Girl, and The Lion & The Mouse. His family includes a number of acclaimed children's book creators: his son, artist Brian Pinkney; his daughter-in-law, author and children's book editor Andrea Davis Pinkney; and his granddaughter, author-illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.

Editorial Reviews

…[a] folksy fable about deprivation, abundance and the spirit of Christmas…As always, Pinkney's soft, colorful watercolors find deep beauty and interest in simple things.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

Praise for The Christmas Boot

Winner of the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text

"[A] folksy fable about deprivation, abundance, and the spirit of Christmas. . . . As always, Pinkney's soft, colorful watercolors find deep beauty and interest in simple things." —The New York Times Book Review

* "Pinkney enhances the strong text with his delightful watercolor illustrations filled with homey details and swirling snowflakes. . . . A winner of a story with enchanting illustrations by a master." —Kirkus, starred review

* "Gently told and exquisitely illustrated, this holiday jewel centers on Hannah Greyweather, a poor woman who lives in a 'ramshackle cabin' and finds a boot in the snow. . . . Pinkney's meticulously detailed art exudes old-world charm and is a splendid match for Wheeler's tender tale about taking only what one needs."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The story's warm folktale feel is heightened by the Caledcott medalist Pinkney's glowing art, alive with details and overflowing with ambiance. . . . Here is a holiday book that provides something to talk about as well as look at."—Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 2016-08-17
A poor and lonely woman finds a black boot in the snow, which leads to magical transformations just before Christmas.Hannah Greyweather leads a solitary, hardscrabble life in her mountain cabin. When she tries on the newfound boot, it immediately changes shape to fit her foot perfectly. When she wishes for the boot’s mate, it mysteriously appears the next morning, followed by a pair of red mittens. Hannah then wishes for a feather bed, fine food, and a fancy house, all of which magically appear without explanation. But when a white-bearded man in a red suit comes looking for his missing boot, all the magical developments disappear. The unnamed visitor provides Hannah with new boots, mittens, and a puppy for companionship before he departs into the night sky with his sleigh and reindeer. The original story flows like a folk tale, with a fine blend of dialogue and description. Dramatic tension and humor result from Hannah’s unfamiliarity with Santa, and children will enjoy being in on the identity of the red-suited visitor. Pinkney enhances the strong text with his delightful watercolor illustrations filled with homey details and swirling snowflakes. Both Hannah and Santa have ruddy complexions, and both seem like real people rather than storybook characters. An extra-large trim size, high-quality paper, and a thoughtful design add to the book’s overall appeal. A winner of a story with enchanting illustrations by a master. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews