Author: O. Henry
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Pages: 40
Recommended Age: 5+
This stunning tale of love and generosity is an absolute Christmas classic. It is the story of Della and Jim, who have very little wealth but want desperately to obtain the perfect Christmas presents for each other. In order to buy a beautiful chain for Jim's prized pocket watch, Della cuts and sells her luxurious long hair. When they exchange gifts, it turns out the Jim sold the watch so he could buy a lovely comb for Della's hair.
There are many versions of this touching story on the market, but I personally think this is the best one. The backdrop of early 1900s New York is beautifully portrayed in P.J. Lynch's sepia-toned watercolor illustrations, giving the book that old-timey, classic feel that can be so difficult to obtain. This particular version of the story is unabridged, and might be a little wordy for children under 5, but what a great read-aloud for Christmas Eve! This book could easily be a yearly Christmas tradition right alongside as Clement Moore's Twas the Night Before Christmas.
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