Based on her own family history, Polacco retells the story of her grandmother's youngest brother Frankie, a little boy who learns--and teaches--an important lesson about giving during one Christmas.
Patricia Polacco's most poignant Christmas tale!
The Stowell family is abuzz with holiday excitement, and Frankie, the youngest boy, is the most excited of all. But there's a cloud over the joyous season: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Pa hasn't returned yet from his trip to Lansing. He promised to bring back the oranges for the mantelpiece. Every year there are nine of them nestled among the evergreens, one for each of the children. But this year, heavy snows might mean no oranges . . . and, worse, no Pa!
This is a holiday story close to Patricia Polacco's heart. Frankie was her grandmother's youngest brother, and every year she and her family remember this tale of a little boy who learned--and taught--an important lesson about giving, one Christmas long ago
Praise for An Orange for Frankie
Autobiography melds with history in this poignant tale of a family tradition, set around Christmastime during the Great Depression.-- Booklist
Polacco's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are well rendered as always and appropriate for this slight but wordy, nostalgic tale.-- School Library Journal
Holiday treats abound in a colorful and touching story of generosity and the ties that bind, based on a story of the author's great-uncle. -- Publishers Weekly
If you are a Polacco fan then you know that her books reflect a family experience, and that she has a way of tugging at the hearts of her readers. This offering is no different . . . Polacco's loose watercolor and pencil drawings show a familiar cast of characters and readers will feel like they have once again stepping into the lives of this fascinating family of Polacco's.-- Children's Literature
Polacco's illustrations . . . are timeless in their portrayal of a happy family enjoying life together.-- Kirkus Reviews
Target Age: 6-9
Philomel Books
Pub Date: September 16, 2004
0.5" H x 11.1" L x 10.2" W
48 pages
hardcover