The King's Christmas List

 The King's Christmas List written by Eldon Johnson and illustrated by Bonnie Leick is a thirty-two page hard cover children's picture book. Written in a fairy tale genre, the story's main character, Emma enters the playhouse built by her dad into an imaginative world in which animals speak and strangers know her name. Emma receives an invitation from the King to attend his birthday party and decides to bring him a cake as a birthday gift. On her way to the birthday party, Emma and her dog Shu-Shu encounter various situations in which they are able to help others. Emma gives the cake and her Christmas cape to a woman and her grandson who are walking around outside coat less in the middle of winter. She also gives away her teddy bear to a girl who has recently dropped her own into the river. Subsequently, Emma and her dog show up to the King's birthday party empty handed. The King is pleased that Emma has demonstrated the true spirit of Christmas.

The moral of the story is evident as the King praises Emma for giving to others the things that are most precious to her.

I would only recommend this book to those who enjoy reading a story with a clear and evident message. The language is very simple and in my opinion, lacks a sense of expression. The message reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas, being the birth of Jesus Christ and giving in His name. The message in the story is very important and worth sharing with children. However, the way the message is told, through a fairytale setting, seems contradicting as the author attempts to tell the real Christmas story without the mention of Santa but still portrayed through magic and fantasy.

The last two pages suggest great ways in which readers can make donations through two charity partners, World Vision and blood:water mission.

Max Lucado's One Hand, Two Hands

Having been familiar with Max Lucado's adult literature and "You are Special", I was excited to read "One Hand, Two Hands" and perhaps introduce it to my students.
The main character is a young girl who finds ways to use her hands in a gentle and caring manner through her daily interactions and during playtime.

The rhyming text is large and bold, suitable for some shared reading experiences. The rhymes are fun and support the illustration and enhance the main idea. The colourful and imaginative illustrations engage the reader in the character's kind and caring actions.

The young girl ends her day with a prayer thanking God for her hands. The last two pages include lists of ways to use helping, kind, and loving hands, and invites children to think of ways to use their helping hands.
I highly recommend this book to engage children in conversations regarding ways to demonstrate respect, responsibility, and kindness using hands. This book will help direct conversations positively by focusing on things children can do with their hands, not what they can't. Great book to read to introduce leadership and community before beginning the school year.