As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Ann James.
While Samantha Duck gets ready for Christmas, tortoise Sebastian keeps trying to persuade her that "Christmas is not for animals." But eventually her doubting friend agrees to help make presents for animals around the world. With assistance from the other farm animals ("'Giving is what animals do best,' said the cows"), Samantha and Sebastian are ready to distribute the gifts on Christmas Eve. As the repetition in Watts's story builds to its climax, viewers will gladly suspend disbelief and be convinced, like Sebastian, that their delivery cart will fly. James's relaxed-line watercolors (à la Betsy Lewin) enhance the liveliness of this endearing holiday tale.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2020