Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A youthful narrator supplies instructions on Christmas tree--trimming, offering anecdotal descriptions of the stories behind the ornaments. A classic ball ornament inscribed with the protagonist's name gets hung first, but the pale-skinned speaker reassures that "anything can be an ornament," before presenting objects that include a pinecone from a memorable camping trip and a maneki-neko from an aunt in Japan. Throughout, the child's simple speech has a friendly intimacy that engages (presenting handmade decorations, the speaker prompts, "Bet you can't guess what they're made of!"). Final baubles bring further emotion to the enterprise as a parol that Lola Reyna brought from the Philippines becomes a source of remembrance, and another name-inscribed bulb sweetly reveals the subject of the speaker's address. Cut paper, textiles, and string lend the creative team's project a homespun three-dimensionality that pairs gently with the cozy domesticity of this affectionate family story. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 1--"Wait until a snowy night," begins the eager, bubbly narrative of the young heroine as she and her family await the arrival of the Christmas tree. Her dad and Uncle Rob are shown carrying the tree into their home, and then the preparations begin. Ornaments are lovingly unwrapped, each one's story told, and the lights and popcorn strings added. The final ornaments to be placed on the tree are inscribed with the names of the heroine and her baby brother. The colorful three-dimensional ornaments, which are woven from embroidery thread, paper, and textiles along with the rest of the art, capture the author's enthusiasm. Realistic elements are carried through Sato's illustrations to include subtle details: the laces on the boots; a fur ruff around the hood; plump, vertical tree boughs; and the warm texture of the carpets. A child's breathless excitement during the Christmas season resonates in the short, animated sentences. Each page provides an opportunity for audience participation. VERDICT Add to collections of stories about preparing for Christmas, alongside Karma Wilson's Bear Stays Up for Christmas, Anne Mortimer's Christmas Mouse, and Tomie dePaola's The Legend of the Poinsettia.--Monica Fleche
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Review by Horn Book Review
Della Rose Santiago (as her name appears on her "first-ever ornament") narrates this decoration play-by-play: "Clean up your toys so the tree has a nice place to stand." After helping with the lights, Della tells the story of each ornament as she hangs it on the tree. A pinecone from camping, a maneki-neko from her aunt in Japan, a parol ("the oldest ornament...It belonged to Lola Reyna" from the Philippines). Toward the end, Della and the cozy collage illustrations reveal the "you" she's been speaking to: "This year, we have a new ornament" with a new sibling's name on it. A warm celebration of family history and holiday tradition. Kitty FlynnNovember/December 2023 p.20 (c) Copyright 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
What brightens a room at Christmas like a sparkling tree? A family gathers to decorate their tree; the cat involves itself, too. The young narrator, Della Rose Santiago, proudly displays several ornaments, providing their backstories and reminding readers that Christmas centers on family memories, lore, history, and traditions. Della Rose shows off "my first-ever ornament," a flowery yellow one given when the child was born. Another ornament, shaped like a pair of skates, was Mom's when she was a child; a stained-glass angel adorned Daddy and Mom's first tree together. This sweet tale is also potentially a helpful guidebook to tree decoration, as it offers some useful ideas for readers: Della Rose presents a pine cone--a souvenir from the family's first camping trip--and points out, "Anything can be an ornament." A brand-new ornament this year was purchased in honor of and bears the name of Della Rose's infant sibling: a family tradition literally newly born. This warm tale will brighten spirits with its depiction of a close-knit family happily engaged in a meaningful routine. The colorful, cozy illustrations, created with papers, textiles, embroidery thread, and craft supplies, aptly suit the theme and have a lovely, tactile feeling--who doesn't love touching glittery Christmas trinkets? Della Rose is tan-skinned, while Mom is light-skinned, and Daddy presents Asian; ornaments from relatives from Japan and the Philippines are referenced, too. A cheery Christmas charmer focused on family traditions. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
