  | Christmassy cactus Author: Ferry, Beth | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Tiny Cactus loves Christmas! But she doesn't love that her little girl seems to be spending more time with the giant sparkly tree in the living room than with her. Maybe if she were decorated like the Christmas tree, her little girl would notice her again. And so Tiny Cactus makes a wish--to be special, to be noticed, to be a part of the magic of Christmas. With the support of her friend and some Christmas magic, Tiny Cactus learns that wishes can come true if you believe hard enough.
| Illustrator: | Kang, A. N. |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/23)
School Library Journal (+) (09/01/23)
Booklist (09/15/23)
The Hornbook (00/11/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 09/01/2023 PreS-Gr 2—Tiny Cactus lives on a bookshelf in a happy house full of love. She is adored by a little girl who refers to her as "my little cupcake" and "the sweetest bonbon." Tiny Cactus has never experienced the Christmas season, and her eyes light up as she sees sparkling decorations being pulled out of boxes and a magnificent tree decorated with twinkling tinsel. Holiday music plays throughout the house, and delicious smells emanate from the kitchen. Tiny Cactus desperately wants to be part of it, but the little girl hasn't blown her kisses or called her sweet names lately; it's as if the girl has forgotten about her and is focused on the dazzling Christmas tree instead. Perhaps if she was decorated like it, the little girl would see her as more than a tiny cactus. The importance of friendship is emphasized in this story. Tiny Cactus also learns about hope and believing. Kang's enchanting illustrations are perfect for young children. The limited amount of color and background helps readers focus on the subject. Readers can see Tiny Cactus's excitement as she experiences the holiday for the first time, as well as her evident pain when she feels her friend has forgotten about her. The joy she encounters at the conclusion creates the perfect ending. VERDICT An excellent addition to a holiday collection.—Barbara Spiri - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 09/15/2023 A friendly-looking prickly pear cactus sits on a bookshelf in a little girl’s home. The spiny plant is well loved and given many endearing names by the child, such as “my little cupcake” and “little bonbon.” The cactus identifies as a member of the family until the Christmas season arrives, when the family decorates a larger, grander plant in the living room with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. The illustrations reveal a cozy home with a variety of patterns in the furniture and a roaring fire in the fireplace. The cactus remarks to her pal, a pink-elephant teapot, that the bookshelf is filling with books about the holiday, including one called Christmas Wish that has inspired the plant to make a wish of her own. Though, when Christmas arrives, the cactus doesn't get her desired decorations, something magical happens that allows her to feel quite festive and part of the holiday, along with the loving family. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
