Lucy's Christmas

Lucy's Christmas

From BooklistAges 5-8. Set in 1909, this story follows a New England family through one late summer, autumn, and Christmas. While the events aren't dramatic, children may find the series of incidents and the details of daily life intriguing: the arrival of a new stove, the making of handmade gifts, and the community celebration of Christmas. Inspired by stories about the author's family home and relatives, the text reads like a smoothly written reminiscence--warmly felt, but lacking narrative tension. The tinted scratchboard illustrations have a distinctive, old-fashioned air that reflects the tone of the narrative. Recommended for larger collections, particularly those in New England. Carolyn PhelanOn a New England farm in 1910, when gifts were mostly handmade and the night sky featured a million stars, Lucy Wells and her family celebrate a snow-covered Christmas.From Publishers WeeklyHall (Ox-Cart Man) and McCurdy (An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving) serve up a New England Christmas at the turn of the century-complete with hand-crafted presents, horse-drawn sleighs and a rousing community church service. Young Lucy takes great care preparing thoughtful gifts for her family, but even more anticipation surrounds the new Glenwood Kitchen Range that Lucy's parent's have ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalogue. Hall's generously descriptive text is infused with nostalgia and warmth (an author's note explains his personal connection to the characters). McCurdy's colored scratchboard drawings brim with rustic detail and are particularly fluid and expressive for artwork in this medium. Ages 5-8.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.