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Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite
Everyone has their own special set of traditions for Christmas and that includes Millie’s family. Tucking wishes into the Christmas apron brought by her grandmother is a unique tradition of their family and Millie is especially looking forward to it this year. Her teacher, Miss Mildred, proudly announced to her dance class that Millie was ready to dance ‘en pointe’. If Millie managed to get ‘pointe’ shoes then she could be ready for the Nutcracker next year! Millie could go on smiling for eternity because of how happy she was. She definitely knows what wish she will be slipping into the apron’s pocket this year. However, when she gets home, she overhears her parents say there is no money for gifts this year. Millie imagines a Christmas morning of no gifts and her siblings’ disappointed faces. It leaves her unsure of what she could do to make it better. Join Millie in The Christmas Apron, written by Rachelle Pace Castor and illustrated by Dan Burr, as she comes to learn the true meaning of Christmas.
The Christmas Apron by Rachelle Pace Castor is a heartwarming story of love, generosity, and kindness. It honestly had me teary by the time I finished reading. I had worried when the parents said they had no money to spare for Christmas presents and when I heard Gracie’s wish, but truly, Christmas is a time for miracles and wonderful surprises. This story coveys a message of hope, selflessness, and kindness. The kind nature of the characters in the story touched the depths of my heart. This is the sort of book I imagined having on my shelves for the sole purpose of reading it again and again, especially with Christmas so near. If given the opportunity, I would read this to my sisters, my nephew, and any future children in our family. This is the type of story that will warm you inside and out and I think everyone needs a little bit of that warmth in their lives. Aside from the well-paced, wonderfully written story, there were also beautiful illustrations that were so realistic in their depiction. The stunning pictures pull the entire story together neatly. I was smiling so widely at the last picture of the sisters hugging. Truly, this entire story has been an amazing and delightful read!
