Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (1993), 40 pages
Description
In post-World War II Germany, a young girl visits various shops before deciding how to spend the money her father has given her for Hanukkah.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Based upon the author's experiences growing up in post-World War II Germany, Aliana Brodmann's The Gift is a lovely picture-book about the pleasures of choice, the importance of generosity, and true spirit of the Hanukkah season. When the young narrator is given a five-mark piece as a holiday gift
I don't know that there is anything particularly "noteworthy" about the narrative here, but I found the overall effect of The Gift quite pleasing. The story doesn't just impart a lesson (although it does do that), it also depicts the pleasure that comes from being able to savor a choice of gift - both as recipient and giver. The illustrations by Anthony Carnabuci are just lovely, evoking the feeling of a quaint old town. All in all, just an immensely engaging little holiday book!
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by her father, she takes her time deciding how to spend it, visiting the shops in town - from the toy shop to the pet store - and lingering over the treasures on display. But then she hears a beautiful tune, and discovers a street musician playing an accordion. Enchanted by his music, she stands and listens for a very long time, eventually deciding that here is where she wants to "spend" her money...I don't know that there is anything particularly "noteworthy" about the narrative here, but I found the overall effect of The Gift quite pleasing. The story doesn't just impart a lesson (although it does do that), it also depicts the pleasure that comes from being able to savor a choice of gift - both as recipient and giver. The illustrations by Anthony Carnabuci are just lovely, evoking the feeling of a quaint old town. All in all, just an immensely engaging little holiday book!
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Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Mass Import -- Pending Differentiation)
Language
Original language
English