A review by shighley
Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant

5.0

My district was fortunate to have Soentpiet visit a few years ago, and today while discussing Christmas books, one of my media clerks told me this was her favorite one. I had never heard of it, and was trying to come up with a book-themed Christmas decoration for a church gathering. I instantly loved the book when I read it, and set out to decorate a tree to represent the book. Who knew it would be so hard to find a simple train?? It's such a great story of paying it forward, and not necessarily appreciating a present or kindness at first, but eventually maturing enough to recognize a true gift. My tree will be decked out with red socks, brown gloves, a scarf, balls, a toy police car, some wooden train engines, and many silver packages (good luck finding a toy gun anymore) Great story and paintings. Soentpiet described working on some books for months and months.