When Christmas Feels Like Home

Gr 1–3—More an affirmation of patience and fortitude than a Christmas story, this heartwarming tale of one family's immigration experience focuses on Eduardo, a schoolboy uneasy about leaving his small village in Latin America and moving to the U.S. Mami assures him that he will feel more at home by the time they open the box containing the wood-carved Nativity set that Eduardo made with his grandfather. His Tío Miguel tells him about some of the things that will happen between now and then (a mountain will turn the color of the sun, pumpkins will smile, words will "float like clouds from your mouth…"). As months go by, the seemingly impossible predictions come true, and Eduardo really does feel at home when Christmas preparations begin. The text is succinctly descriptive with a bit of Spanish vocabulary sprinkled into the dialogue. Warm, autumnal hues enhance the stylized illustrations, inviting readers to linger on expressive character details. A charming and worthwhile read for any time of year.—Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library