Celebrate the Gift of Giving with Cocoa Mistletoe ! Cocoa Mistletoe is a charmingly illustrated family picture book that will have you and your loved ones feeling the Christmas spirit. Cocoa loves nothing more than the joys of the season; from giving gifts and decorating to making toys and presents for her friends and family. Follow Cocoa as she learns the true meaning of holiday cheer and explores the gift of giving from the heart. Award-winning author Ciara L. Hill takes readers on a magical holiday journey in this heartfelt Christmas tale. If you enjoyed Soulful Holidays , Shiloh and Dande the Lion , and Thank Fall , you'll adore Cocoa Mistletoe too. Free lesson plans available on author website!
"Cocoa Mistletoe" is a heartwarming children's book that immerses readers in the magical world of Cocoa, a young girl with an enchanting love for Christmas. The story unfolds as Cocoa, armed with her magical abilities, creates gifts in her workshop for teachers and friends. The initial magical gifts are adored, but Cocoa craves a deeper connection with her creations. The narrative takes a delightful turn when Cocoa, accompanied by her trusty flying reindeer, Mr. McJingles, embarks on a magical sleigh ride to deliver homemade gifts that embody the true spirit of the season. The tale beautifully illustrates the joy derived from personal effort and the warmth that comes from crafting gifts from the heart. Ciara L. Hill's storytelling shines as Cocoa explores the significance of incorporating holiday memories and family traditions into her gift-giving. The journey unveils a valuable lesson about the importance of cherishing and passing down traditions, adding a layer of depth to the narrative. The illustrations in "Cocoa Mistletoe" are nothing short of enchanting, capturing the festive spirit with warm and vibrant colors. The visual appeal enhances the overall reading experience, making it engaging and delightful for young readers. This charming story by Ciara L. Hill has the potential to leave a lasting impact on young readers. "Cocoa Mistletoe" is not merely a festive tale but a precious resource for instilling positive values in young minds. The book serves as a reminder to embrace the magic of the holiday season through meaningful gestures, creativity, and the timeless importance of family traditions.
I received an advanced readers copy (ARC) of "Cocoa Mistletoe" by Ciara L. Hill on September 3, 2023. And I must say, this book isn't just a book; it's a heartfelt gift to young readers. Opening its pages is like unwrapping a Christmas present, setting the stage for a delightful reimagining of the holiday season.
The story revolves around the titular character, Cocoa, a delightful 10-year-old, who leads young readers on an exploration of the true magic of the holiday season. Through heartwarming family moments, selfless acts of volunteering, and the creation of heartfelt gifts in her enchanted workshop, Cocoa spreads joy wherever she goes. Her special companion, Mr. McJingles, a reindeer with a unique twist, assists her in delivering love not just within their small town but far beyond its borders.
What I found most endearing were the colorful illustrations, diverse diverse cast of characters, and its subtle reference to another work by Ciara Hill, "Soulful Holidays.” The seamless integration of this reference adds depth and richness to the narrative, making "Cocoa Mistletoe" an even more enchanting read.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Cocoa Mistletoe" to households with young children. It's a perfect way for families to come together and celebrate the enchanting magic of the upcoming holiday season. Acknowledging that not everyone can afford to purchase books, I plan to suggest to my local library that they include this gem in their collection as a special gift to our community.
Cocoa Mistletoe is a heartfelt, fun, beautiful, exciting, relatable, magical, and sweet book! This book is full of the Christmas Spirit! It has the cutest main character that is comparable to a mini child Santa. Cocoa loves Christmas more than anything. She adores the act of giving, spreading cheer, and creating magical memories. Cocoa and her Reindeer Mr. McJingles start by spreading Christmas Spirit through giving gifts, but Cocoa still wants to do more. This kind girl finds several new ways to make Christmas meaningful and magical that do not involve store bought gifts. I absolutely love this message! The most important part of Christmas is not the gifts we give, but instead the memories made, heartfelt handmade gifts given, and kindness shown!
I adore the gorgeous illustrations in this book! They are bright, colorful, fun, and magical. This story truly embodies the best of Christmas! I love the family, friend, and teacher relationships mentioned in this book. Cocoa is one of my favorite Christmas characters yet!
What a wonderful book! Cocoa Mistletoe shares the TRUE meaning of the season: caring and giving of yourself. But do it all year long, not just at Christmas. Gifts do not have to cost a lot to be appreciated and remembered.
Fantastic illustrations, family-centered, a wonderful story to read all year long with a great message.
This book will surely put you in the Christmas spirit. Join Coco Mistletoe as she learns, giving gifts made by Magic was great, homemade was better but the gift of quality time and spreading kindness was the best feeling. Making memories, passing down and traditions creates a feel-good Christmas, just like this book. I can't wait to hold my granddaughter and read this with her.
Such a sweet story about giving. My family has a tradition of giving handmade gifts in Yule every year and it always is such a joy watching the kiddos share the things they poured their hearts into for others. This story is a beautiful story for children about love and giving. I highly recommend!
Perfect for Family Traditions Cocoa Mistletoe inspires quality time and making memories. The message is powerful, and the illustrations are gorgeous. Reading this with my kids has become a new tradition!
Harper (9-1/2) and I both loved this book! It’s a sweet, engaging story with a lovely message. Great addition to our collection of winter holiday picture books.
In Cocoa Mistletoe: Celebrate The Gift of Giving, the holiday spirit "merrily" radiates through the heart and mind of a unique girl named Cocoa Mistletoe. She adores everything about Christmas, from spending time with loved ones to the entire soul food feast. However, what ignites her greatest satisfaction is not what she receives but what she gives. Cocoa usually magically creates the perfect Christmas present, but lately, she feels something's missing. After delivering presents with her flying reindeer, Mr. McJingles, she's inspired to make handcrafted gifts.
Cocoa discovered she enjoys creating handmade presents using only love and art materials. Her Christmas gifts were well-received, motivating her to seek more opportunities to spread holiday cheer. She realized that Christmas is not solely about exchanging gifts but rather about spending quality time with loved ones, creating cherished memories and traditions, offering kind words, and giving back to those in need through volunteering or donating.
Cocoa Mistletoe: Celebrate The Gift of Giving is a captivating story by Ciara L. Hill, who greatly understands her young readers. The book is an enjoyable Christmas read for kids with vivid imaginations who can relate to the magical feeling of Christmas. The illustrations by Natalia Scabuso beautifully depict the joy of the season. This charming story teaches an important lesson about how giving is often more fulfilling than receiving. Overall, it was a lot of fun to read.
Cocoa loves Christmas. In fact, she loves everything about it : giving gifts, decorating…This book brings the reader along Cocoa’s discovery of the true meaning of the holiday.