Tricia and her brother Richie experience a heartwarming final Christmas on their grandfather's farm the year before it is sold, learning an important lesson about true "gifts of the heart" from Kay Lamity, the Mississippi woman who comes to cook and clean for their family after their grandmother's death. The tough-talking Kay wins over the initially resentful Richie, helping him to see that he must be more careful of his sister's feelings, and both children have a magical experience that convinces them that Santa truly has visited them...

Although I would not describe it as a personal favorite, when it comes to Patricia Polacco's holiday books - that honor would go to Christmas Tapestry and The Trees of the Dancing Goats - I did find Gifts of the Heart an engaging and emotionally satisfying book. I appreciated the message about the best gifts being from the heart, rather than bought at a store, and I liked the element of magic in the final few pages. I'm catching up on the Polacco books I missed over the last few years (as of 2013, I had read everything she'd published, but have since fallen behind), and requested this from the library without realizing that it was a Christmas title. If I had known, I would probably have saved it for the next holiday season. That said, I'm happy to have read it, and recommend it, particularly to those seeking children's Christmas stories in which the characters are experiencing some kind of life change, whether it be the first Christmas after the loss of a loved one, or a change of residence (both of which are the case here). ( )

The greatest gifts aren’t always wrapped in paper with a bow. The greatest gifts are gifts from your heart.
Age: 6-8 years
Source: Pierce County Library System

A family is spending one last holiday on the farm after their Gramma has died. With their mother working, their Grampa needs a little help looking after the kids. Kay Lamity arrives at their doorstep just in time. An eccentric and wise housekeeper, Kay sets the children straight when they have doubts about Santa.

When the children don't have enough money to purchase Christmas presents, Kay teaches them about the two types of presents: some you purchase and others come from the heart. With a little help from Kay, the children make gifts from the farm that everyone will treasure for a very long time.

The Bottom Line: This heartwarming tale of a family love and simple gifts is a treasure. The text and images harken back to a nostalgic time. Recommended holiday reading for kids ages 7 – 10.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

Two children are adjusting to the loss of their gramma and soon to be their home, when a caretaker befriends them and teaches them the true meaning of Christmas. This is a very sweet book of love and loss and appreciating what's really important in this world. As with most of Polacco's books, there is a heartwarming ending and a moral to be found. ( )

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. Not only because I love winter but because I love gift giving. The new housekeeper in the story shows the children the wonderful ways of giving just the right gift, one handmade. She also reaffirms their belief in Santa. It's one I would like to add to my coffee table books for Christmas.
Curricular connections - Traditions and heritage could be explored after reading aloud the Gifts of the Heart. Students could write about their family traditions. Also making gifts in the classroom as presents like handprints with a poem about being small.