What Can I Give Him? - Hardcover

Rossetti, Christina

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823413926 ISBN 13: 9780823413928

Publisher: Holiday House, 1998

Synopsis

In intertwining stories, a poor shepherd girl who is a witness to the nativity story and a contemporary girl celebrating Christmas with her grandfather must both find a special gift for someone important.

About this title

From Booklist:

Ages 4^-8. "What can I give Him poor as I am?" With the words of the poem "A Christmas Carol" by Christina Rossetti, this handsome picture book sets two worlds side by side on each double-page spread. On the left is a happy contemporary girl having fun with her parents and grandparents in her warm home as the snow falls on the midwinter landscape. On the right is a poor, barefoot servant girl toiling in the fields and in the stable where the infant Jesus is born. Each child wants to give a present to someone she loves; each gives her heart. The contemporary girl makes a loving card for her grandfather; the girl in the Nativity scene adores the baby Jesus. Rossetti's words create the "bleak midwinter long ago," and Gliori's paired pictures contrast that orphan's harsh world with the cozy family story. The endpapers with red and gilded hearts may evoke Valentine's Day greetings more than Christmas, but otherwise, the poetry and art work beautifully together. Safe at home, children will get the message as they identify with the lonely outsider. Hazel Rochman

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3?The intertwined stories of two girls?one in a modern wintry setting and one in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus?are told primarily through expressive watercolors. The minimal text is adapted from Christina Rossetti's poem "A Christmas Carol" and fits the modern tale of a girl's love for her grandfather more than the Biblical setting where not a bit of snow (referred to in the text) is to be seen. Though both girls seek the perfect gift, and choose "to give Him my heart," the juxtaposition of stories is jarring and doesn't make much sense: the long-ago girl is referring to Baby Jesus, the contemporary girl to her grandfather. The illustrations are richly toned, but often awkwardly drawn. While the message of giving is admirable, the execution is uninspiring.?AC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0823413926
• ISBN 13: 9780823413928
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Gliori Debi