Amazon.com Review
Greeting card designer Mary Engelbreit, who transitioned into picture book illustrator with best-selling
The Night Before Christmas, pens the first of a series of stories about likable young Ann Estelle. Ann, the self-appointed Queen of Christmas, has been working on "The List" since just after Christmas last year. After all, if she forgets
anything, "that would make Christmas not quite as wonderful as it should be." So, although she has a marvelous time ice-skating with Grandma, perhaps a sparkly red skating outfit would make it better. And going sledding with her father on his old wooden sled is great, but still, it might be nice to have a brand-new plastic one.
It might sound as though Ann Estelle should really be called the Spoiled Princess of Christmas, but in truth, she’s just a normal little girl bedazzled by the "golden gift-getting opportunity" of Christmas. And--with no parental prodding whatsoever--our little heroine closes the story with the kind of moral every parent would like to hear: "Oh, Dad, it’s not just the presents that matter. Don’t you know that?" (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-During the seven days before Christmas, Ann Estelle engages in fun activities like baking cookies and going ice-skating. Most importantly, she continues to add items to the wish list that she has been keeping since last year. On Christmas day, she finally realizes that it's the fun she has had with family and friends, and not the presents, that is the most important part of the holiday. The illustrations, in typical Engelbreit style, are flat and stiff, but colorful and quirky enough to have child appeal. The story, however, is too uneventful and staid to invite repeat readings.-E. M.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
