While I've read many lovely books written by this author, the last read was not as enjoyable. The writing seemed rushed, and the story was not as engaging as others. This won't stop my journey to read all of her books. One blip amid many wonderful books is to be expected. She remains an engaging, wonderful children's illustrated book writer and illustrator. This story is a joyous tale of love and acceptance, and the power of what what man can do.

With a name like Welcome Comfort, it can be expected that there would be some bullying. In addition he is over weight, and that is usually a target for nasty people to hone in on.

Welcome has traveled the route of many foster homes. Thus the bullying is more powerfully felt. When the school custodian, Mr. Hamp, takes Welcome under his wing, a lovely transformation occurs with Welcome. Finally, Welcome is loved by someone he respects. When Christmas Eve occurs, Welcome is taken on a very special life-changing journey. ( )

Foster child Welcome Comfort is teased because of his unusual name but mostly because he's a fat kid. A kind custodian and librarian couple take him under their wing and bring joy and Santa Claus to his life.

Sorry, just doesn't do it for me. I don't know why I can't appreciate Polacco's work - she's such a favorite among my GR friends. Just goes to show that people are different and that's a good thing! ( )

A chubby young boy, with the unlikely name of Welcome Comfort, finds himself being befriended by his school's popular custodian, Quintin Hamp, in this poignant holiday tale from Patricia Polacco. Moved from foster home to foster home, Welcome has never known what it is to have a family, but all that changes when Quintin, and his wife Martha, take him under their wing, providing him with stability and loving friendship over the years. One thing they don't share, however, is their Christmases, which they spend "up north" somewhere...

Like many of author's other books, Welcome Comfort is based on the stories of people Patricia Polacco knows, although - given the conclusion of this one - I'm going to assume that there's an element of fantasy here. Then again, maybe not: every reader will have to decide for themselves! I think that children who have experienced ridicule, from their peers, particularly for their appearance, and children who have experienced the foster care system, with especially appreciate this holiday story, in which a unprepossessing young foster kid goes on to become someone very special indeed! ( )

This is a beautifully illustrated and well-written book of fantasy that tells the story of a boy who is in foster care and who has never fit in at school. A kind janitor at his school befriends him and for the first time in his life, he feels like a part of a family. Until then, he had never had a happy Christmas and he did not believe in Santa. After an adventure that he can hardly believe, he shares his first happy Christmas with his friends. As he becomes an adult, he follows in the footsteps of his friend, taking over all of his friend's duties, including a very special job. The illustrations are typical of Polacco. She adds a self-portrait to many pages and blends in characters from her life as "extras" in a crowd. Because her books are usually based on real people and stories she has known, her books have a personal appeal.

I can remember times when I have doubted the existence of Santa Claus, but my parents always told me that if you believe, he will come, but the moment you stop believing, the magic will disappear. That magic is still alive and well all over the world, but this book might just do the trick when it comes to convincing those whose confidence in the magic is wavering.

In the book, the evidence that Santa exists is a little gold star pin with a sprig of holly. After reading the book in class, the group could make pins using gold metallic scrapbook paper, ribbon, and artificial holly. For older students, the class could discuss and write about what it could feel like to be made fun of and ways to help another child who is being teased. ( )