Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Australian collaborators Watts and James underscore the rewards of ingenuity and sharing in this friendly tale about Samantha, a plucky duck who is determined to celebrate Christmas. Winding tinsel around reeds and hanging ornaments on a branch while singing, "We wish you a quacky Christmas," Samantha is undeterred by the grumblings of her turtle friend, Sebastian, who maintains that "Christmas is not for animals." Countering that the holiday is for anyone who likes to give and share, Samantha hatches a plan to make and deliver presents to animals the world over, aided by barnyard pals and a relenting Sebastian. They knit the sheep's wool into hats and scarves, bake cupcakes using the hens' eggs, weave daisy chains from the cows' field, and pile the gifts into a donkey's cart, which (after several failed attempts) the flapping duck propels into the air to complete her mission. Set against pastel backdrops, James's wispy, fluid pictures humorously--and affectingly--convey Samantha's spontaneity, optimism, and irrepressible holiday spirit. Ages 3--7. (Sept.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Perhaps everyone owes a debt of gratitude to that one persistent and energetic friend who creates happiness for others through the force of good will. Samantha the farm duck wants to celebrate Christmas despite Sebastian the turtle's admonition that "Christmas is not for animals." Sebastian is a good friend, so together they make the case to each farm animal. From the freely given bounty of wool, eggs, and flowers they all manage to knit, bake, and weave gifts for animals all over the world. Come Christmas Eve, a borrowed donkey cart is packed and readied for the delivery trip. Sebastian pulls and Samantha flaps, but it looks as if the cart is going nowhere. Even more than giving and sharing, it takes faith to make Christmas happen, and Sebastian finally has some. Duck, turtle, and cart rise into the sky to give animals their first Christmas with their own version of Santa's sleigh. Delightful watercolors in a loosely sketched style evoke the sweet animal friendships and emotions, while the text, mostly in dialogue, has a simple eloquence. VERDICT Giving and sharing never had a better advertisement than this sweet farm story. For all collections that circulate holiday titles.--Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter Sch., Providence
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
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 (a la Betsy Lewin) enhance the liveliness of this endearing holiday tale. Cynthia K. Ritter November/December 2020 p.40(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A determined duck sets out to prove that Christmas is for animals, too. Samantha Duck is unmoved when Sebastian the turtle repeatedly tells her that "Christmas is not for animals." Despite his repeated attempts to discourage her, she persists in decorating for the holiday and saying, "We wish you a quacky Christmas." Soon she enlists the help of other animals in making presents for "animals all over the world," even persuading a doubtful Sebastian to help her. Throughout, loose linework reminiscent of Jules Feiffer's or James Stevenson's lends vitality to the animal characters; they are not fully anthropomorphic, but their human postures, particularly loyal friend Sebastian's, are winning. The scenes are warm and sunny, perhaps indicating a Southern Hemisphere setting familiar to the Australian author and illustrator. A generous donkey agrees to share his cart, and then Samantha and Sebastian fill it with gifts and try to make it take off and fly so they can deliver the presents around the world. Alas, Sebastian's doubts are fulfilled, and the cart stays firmly on the ground. Ultimately, it's Sebastian's urging that they try one more time to make the cart fly that sparks the Christmas magic to fulfill Samantha's vision. They fly around the world delivering gifts to animals, and the book closes with a scene of them opening presents, too. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 10.6% of actual size.) Joy to the animal world, too. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
