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Sharlin Craig, a Detroit native who now resides in southern California with her husband and daughter, is dedicated to writing inspirational children’s books that touch the spirit of her readers. A graduate of Oakland University, she’s taught music to children for several years while also writing music and lyrics. She’s combined her love for children and writing into authoring her debut children’s Christmas picture book, ‘Ornaments of Love’.
Sharlin believes that with the right surroundings and daily encouragement, children are boundless. She’s passionate about helping children feel understood and empowered through her books and hopes that her stories make them smile.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
It’s both amazing and rather sad how easily a family can get wrapped up in each of their own little worlds. Christmas is the worst. Everyone wants everything to be perfect: the tree, the decorations, the baked goodies, the parties, the presents. It is too easy to forget the simple pleasures of just doing something together, like decorating the Christmas tree.
Ayana loved the family ritual of decorating the Christmas tree. Each ornament held a treasured memory and, as the family hung these ornaments, they shared with each other the memories encased in the ornaments. This year was different, though. Ayana was now ten and her parents were very busy: Dad with work and Mom preparing things for parties and baking Christmas goodies. Ayana was asked to decorate the tree on her own. Although sad, Ayana brightens as she thinks of the memories each ornament represents.
As things get busier, the simple pleasure of sitting as a family and admiring the tree keeps being pushed aside, until one night the family dog knocks the tree over and so many of the ornaments are broken. The family finally comes together in the act of resurrecting the tree and repairing the ornaments that were repairable. As they do, they relive the memories of each ornament.
Sharlin Craig’s picture book story, Ornaments of Love, is a treasure in itself. A beautiful story about family love and sharing time together, Ornaments of Love reminds us all of the true meaning of family and the beauty of being together, of sharing together, during the festive season and always. This is a classic to be enjoyed by young and old alike, as we all need to relearn the values of family love.
