Sonderbooks Book Review of Christmas Tapestry

Reviewed December 7, 2002.
A Sonderbooks' Best Book of 2002 (#2, New Picture Books)
Philomel Books, New York, 2002. 48 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (E POL)

A special thank you to my friend Doris for first introducing me to Patricia Polacco’s wonderful books.

This is a beautiful story with a wonderful message. Patricia Polacco took the story from one she heard twice preached in sermons, years apart. Both times the story was said to be true. Basically, it tells of a miraculous coincidence that happened at Christmas time.

It would be easy for such a story to seem overly sentimental or unbelievable, but Patricia Polacco tells it with exactly the right touch. She focuses in on a boy, a preacher’s kid, who doesn’t understand why they should have to move from Tennessee to Detroit. When a blizzard happens just before Christmas, the boy is convinced that their hard work on the church has been for nothing. Why would God do such a thing? Then the Christmas miracle is presented. Both the boy and the reader can see God’s hand moving in the middle of a seemingly bad situation.

This is definitely for older picture book readers and listeners. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful Christmas story.

Review of another book by Patricia Polacco:
The Art of Miss Chew
The Blessing Cup
In Our Mothers' House
Tucky Jo and Little Heart
Sticks and Stones

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

*****Christmas Tapestry*

by Patricia Polacco