The Gift of a Traveler (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Robert Van Nutt (Illustrator) "From out of the gloom, a long, bony finger pointed..." (more)
Key Phrases: Christmas Eve

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 6^-8. A picture book for older readers evokes Romanian Christmas traditions. While grudgingly helping her great-grandmother Anica trim her Christmas tree, Christine hears the story of a precious ornament given to Anica as a child by a mysterious stranger. Van Nutt's illustrations set the book apart from the usual mysterious stranger^-angel tales, with the lavish embroidery motifs used in the page borders and on costumes standing out sharply against the white snow and the characters' gentle faces and luminous eyes. The book makes the subtle point that bright-eyed, little Anica still lives within the aged great-grandmother. Mary Harris Veeder

Product Description

One Christmas Eve a father and his children journey into the forest to find a Christmas tree. Little Anica wanders off and comes face-to-face with a mysterious stranger clad in fur. The traveler reunites Anica with her family and is invited to share Christmas Eve with them, when each child will present an ornament for the tree. Anica has no ornament--until she awakens the next morning. Full color.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bridgewater Books (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816736561
• ISBN-13: 978-0816736560
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,807,868 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holiday magic from a land far away..., December 7, 1999

By A Customer

Words cannot describe this enchanting story of a woman who spends the afternoon with her grandaughter recalling a childhood encounter with a mysterious traveler and a very special Christmas ornament. From the beginning you'll want to cuddle up with your child and snuggle deeply into the warmth of the story as the tale of Anica and the traveler unfolds. Detailed descriptions and brilliant illustrations will transport you back and forth through time. This book will easily become a Christmas time reading tradition.