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The Gift
-- A spare and delightful holiday tale that honors both Hanukkah and Christmas
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 1996
30 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Kertes
10 books61 followersJoseph Kertes was born in Hungary (1951) but escaped with his family to Canada after the revolution of 1956.
He studied English at York University and the University of Toronto, where he was encouraged in his writing by Irving Layton and Marshall McLuhan.
Kertes founded Humber College's distinguished creative writing and comedy programs. He is currently Humber's Dean of Creative and Performing Arts and is a recipient of numerous awards for teaching and innovation.
His first novel, Winter Tulips, won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Boardwalk, his second novel, and two children's books, The Gift and The Red Corduroy Shirt, met with critical acclaim.
His novel, Gratitude, won a Canadian National Jewish Book Award and the U.S. National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Kertes has also been a finalist for a National Magazine Award and the CBC Literary Award.
His latest novel, The Afterlife of Stars, has been described by Anne Michaels as “unforgettable and deeply moving,” and by Richard Bausch as “brilliant, radiant.”
He studied English at York University and the University of Toronto, where he was encouraged in his writing by Irving Layton and Marshall McLuhan.
Kertes founded Humber College's distinguished creative writing and comedy programs. He is currently Humber's Dean of Creative and Performing Arts and is a recipient of numerous awards for teaching and innovation.
His first novel, Winter Tulips, won the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Boardwalk, his second novel, and two children's books, The Gift and The Red Corduroy Shirt, met with critical acclaim.
His novel, Gratitude, won a Canadian National Jewish Book Award and the U.S. National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. Kertes has also been a finalist for a National Magazine Award and the CBC Literary Award.
His latest novel, The Afterlife of Stars, has been described by Anne Michaels as “unforgettable and deeply moving,” and by Richard Bausch as “brilliant, radiant.”
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 27, 2022
As a long time author, and teacher of writing, Joe Kertes would be considered a career writer. Because of this, I was pretty sure The Gift would be well written. So, on a cold winters night , curled up in my easy chair , I entered into the story. I was not disappointed! The Gift is beautifully told, with equally special illustrations. It is the story of two friends, one who celebrates Christmas, and the other who doesn’t. It is told through the eyes , and in the voice of the child experiencing Christmas for the first time. It demonstrates that true friendship isn’t about needing to believe the same things. The book is well worth sharing with a child, or having in your own personal library. The Gift , written by Joseph Kertes, and illustrated by Peter Perko is published by Groundwood Books.
November 30, 2011
This book was sentimental and nostalgic in a way that I really enjoyed but I rate it a 3 because my kids, in the intended audience age-range, really didn't! The illustrations are beautiful and there is a sensitivity to being different that I thought my children of mixed-faith backgrounds would appreciate but apparently not.
Wish others had reviewed it here as I think it was simply a case of the wrong book for these particular kids.
Wish others had reviewed it here as I think it was simply a case of the wrong book for these particular kids.
May 19, 2022
Short, gets you thinking…
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews