Welcome Comfort [Mass Market Paperback]

Patricia Polacco (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2002 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Santa! He's not even real!

It's not easy being Welcome Comfort-a foster child always moving from home to home and getting picked on by the kids at school. Even Christmas, the most wondrous time of the year, isn't so wondrous for Welcome, since he has no family, no presents, and no Santa Claus. But when Welcome meets Mr. Hamp, the school custodian, he finally finds a friend. And when Christmas comes around, Welcome is taken on an extraordinary adventure that changes his life forever.

"Sentimental but appealing, the story of a special inheritance is illustrated with lively pictures wrapped up in cheerful Christmas colors."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW called this tale of an overweight foster child, befriended by the equally rotund school custodian (who heads out of town every Christmas Eve), "a warm blend of fantasy and reality that delivers a satisfying surprise ending." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-With her well-known way with words and exuberant illustrations, Polacco has again created an endearing holiday offering. Welcome Comfort is an overweight foster child who knows loneliness well, but finds acceptance and solace in his friendship with the new school custodian, Quintin Hamp. It is through his influence that Welcome learns that "believin' is seein.'" The Hamps become a stable and lasting force in his life, even though they take a mysterious vacation north every year on Christmas Eve. One year the young man and his new bride are invited along and readers learn that Welcome has been groomed over the years to become the next Santa Claus. A touching and enjoyable story that reads well aloud.-T.T.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698119657
• ISBN-13: 978-0698119659
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Polacco, Patricia

More About the Author

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical... I believe!!!, October 25, 1999

By 

Lori (Auburn, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome Comfort (Hardcover)

What can friendship, compassion and a little bit of magic do for a "substantially-built" foster child, teased relentlessly by his classmates? After meeting Mr. Hamp, the equally "substantial" school janitor, Welcome finds his life changed forever. Don't want to give away any details, but I wanted to buttonhole every child in the store and read it to them. Appealing to all ages. Makes your heart glow... like Santa!!! The illustrations are equally beautiful. Read it for yourself, read it to your children. It just might become a family tradition!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Santa in our hearts, December 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Welcome Comfort (Hardcover)

Wonderful, loving book that helps children see their actions through another's eyes! My students gasped with delight at the conclusion of the book. Many have been the victim of not being with the 'in crowd' at school. Through this book they have been given hope and love.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Holiday Tradition, December 15, 2004

By 

Book Lover "Nancy" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome Comfort (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book has become a tradition in our family since it was inspired by grandparents Martha and Quinton Hamp, whom the author included as characters in the story. Our children love Ms. Polacco's beautiful artwork, warm-hearted characters and magical ending. Teachers love receiving this book as an addition to their classroom libraries, especially at the holidays. Highly recommended!