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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ll read this to my littles in a few years. Lovely story and illustrations. Will listen to the audio narrated by Aubrey Plaza too.
This is the more, non-traditional Christmas story of the long lost twin sister of Kris Kringle, Kristtorn. The twins are abandoned deep in the forest and cared for by the animals there. As they grow they learn how to communicate with the animals and Mother Earth. As they grow up, Kris is adopted by a family unable to have children and Kristtorn finds a home with the local witch. Each learns different skills that form who they ultimately become!
I saw that this book was written by Aubrey Plaza and knew that I had to read it! This book looks like a picture book but it is more just a large book for middle grade students. I found the story to be incredibly creative with an Earthy vibe. It definitely feels like a folk tale, full of magic and transformatins. The illustrations are great and really add to the narrative. This would make a great animated movie!
I saw that this book was written by Aubrey Plaza and knew that I had to read it! This book looks like a picture book but it is more just a large book for middle grade students. I found the story to be incredibly creative with an Earthy vibe. It definitely feels like a folk tale, full of magic and transformatins. The illustrations are great and really add to the narrative. This would make a great animated movie!
I loved this tale of Kris Kringle’s sister. Would love to see a movie of this! I did think the ending would be more of a happy one, but interesting nonetheless.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Torn on this book. It’s absolutely beautiful and was a good story until the end. Calling the Christmas Witch “evil” was uncalled for. I was really put off by her ending. Her brother’s response to her also greatly bothered me. I still liked the story but it also made me angry. It is however a good tool for teaching my kids about the world and how people may view and treat them, privilege, sexism, etc. We had a good talk after.
Cute alternative to "The Night Before Christmas ".
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
A tender origin story of a very realistic, relatable character. The ending presents a teachable moment on inclusivity and acceptance.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Well this book did not end how I expected! It's very rare for me to read an open-ended conclusion like this, especially in a picturebook. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think it's interesting and surprising to leave off in a way that makes it seem like the most exciting part may be yet to come (not in a sequel way; rather, it almost feels like a ghost story, where the audience is left to ponder it and perhaps spook themselves later with their own thoughts). But the ending also had too much of a real-world influence. The idea that global climate change is on its way to releasing the witch, who may then unleash either good or evil upon the world is a bit too much on the nose. There are other similar instances like that throughout the book, as well. Just being a little too eager to make a modern Christmas tale that addresses modern concerns about equality and the environment. Keep in mind that this is the opinion of a very liberal minded reader; I love stories that give females prominent and starring roles, and change expectations and the status quo, and more important still, stories that encourage compassion and care for animals and the environment, but I still wish it would have been more subtly attempted in this story. For instance, instead of Kristtorn's brother literally telling her there's no place for her in the world and that she'd best stay hidden, which comes across strongly as a man telling a woman to know her place, or in other words, that women 'belong in the kitchen' , surely there was a more artful way? I asked myself that question at many places throughout the book, unfortunately. There was also a single typo in the middle of the book that was a bit silly and rather ruined the mood and immersion on that page.
Setting the issues with the writing aside, I loved the illustrations throughout the book. They are gorgeous and make The Legend of the Christmas Witch worth owning, even with its other shortcomings. If you enjoy picturebooks primarily for the imagery, this is definitely one worth adding to your collection!
Setting the issues with the writing aside, I loved the illustrations throughout the book. They are gorgeous and make The Legend of the Christmas Witch worth owning, even with its other shortcomings. If you enjoy picturebooks primarily for the imagery, this is definitely one worth adding to your collection!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting take on a Christmas story! The illustrations are beautiful as well.