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Plum
“An adorable children’s book…about the holidays, inclusion, and magic!” —Kristen Bell, award-winning actress from Frozen and The Good Place
“Want to make this holiday more magical? Then get your copy!” —Allison Janney, award-winning actress from Mom and I, Tonya
“Great for kids this holiday season!” —Jessie Tyler Ferguson, award-winning actor from Modern Family
From Will & Grace star Sean Hayes and composer Scott Icenogle comes a modern classic inspired by The Nutcracker about how the Sugar Plum Fairy got her wings.
Plum will not stay glum.
For as long as she can remember, Plum has lived at the Mary Fitzgerald Orphanage, wishing and hoping for a family. When a sudden snowfall threatens a delivery of presents on Christmas Eve, Plum is determined to save Christmas—even for the kids who laugh at her.
Plum’s pure heart grants her an unexpected reward. When she eats a cake left behind by a mysterious magician, she is transported into the Land of Sweets. But Christmas here is threatened, too—by a sourness that is spreading from the center of the land. Plum’s determined to help, and in doing so, she might just find the family she’s always dreamed of, thanks to a good heart—and Christmas magic!
“Want to make this holiday more magical? Then get your copy!” —Allison Janney, award-winning actress from Mom and I, Tonya
“Great for kids this holiday season!” —Jessie Tyler Ferguson, award-winning actor from Modern Family
From Will & Grace star Sean Hayes and composer Scott Icenogle comes a modern classic inspired by The Nutcracker about how the Sugar Plum Fairy got her wings.
Plum will not stay glum.
For as long as she can remember, Plum has lived at the Mary Fitzgerald Orphanage, wishing and hoping for a family. When a sudden snowfall threatens a delivery of presents on Christmas Eve, Plum is determined to save Christmas—even for the kids who laugh at her.
Plum’s pure heart grants her an unexpected reward. When she eats a cake left behind by a mysterious magician, she is transported into the Land of Sweets. But Christmas here is threatened, too—by a sourness that is spreading from the center of the land. Plum’s determined to help, and in doing so, she might just find the family she’s always dreamed of, thanks to a good heart—and Christmas magic!
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2018
86 people want to read
About the author
Sean Hayes
11 books22 followersSean Patrick Hayes (born June 26, 1970) is an American actor, comedian, and producer. Known for his performances on stage and screen, he gained acclaim for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also received nominations for six Golden Globe Awards and two Tony Awards, winning one of the latter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 15, 2018
Plum is a pure hearted orphan. She wants to help others. One night, there is a great snow and the kids won’t be getting presents from the people in town. Mr. Drosselmeyer left her a mysterious box that took her to a land of sweets and fairies. The land was turning sour and all the fairies didn’t know what to do.
Plum found a man sad and alone. After showing a bit of kindness, it warmed the man’s heart. It was one of the Kings for a land of fairies surely needs two Kings. You can imagine what happens. Plum does get her wings.
I love the artwork and the use of the color plum in the story. I love the character of Plum. She is spunky with a pure heart. I also loved the story of kindness and how much a little can actually do. It was a wonderful ending to a fairy story.
The children read this. The nephew loved the thought of a land of sweets and being able to eat the grass. The Niece thought this was a good story too. I think it spoke to her in a different way, thought she did not say how. Actually, they both gave this 4 stars. You know I love fairies so I had to give this 5 stars for the backstory and tying it into the Nutcracker story.
Plum found a man sad and alone. After showing a bit of kindness, it warmed the man’s heart. It was one of the Kings for a land of fairies surely needs two Kings. You can imagine what happens. Plum does get her wings.
I love the artwork and the use of the color plum in the story. I love the character of Plum. She is spunky with a pure heart. I also loved the story of kindness and how much a little can actually do. It was a wonderful ending to a fairy story.
The children read this. The nephew loved the thought of a land of sweets and being able to eat the grass. The Niece thought this was a good story too. I think it spoke to her in a different way, thought she did not say how. Actually, they both gave this 4 stars. You know I love fairies so I had to give this 5 stars for the backstory and tying it into the Nutcracker story.
December 13, 2018
Such a beautiful, sweet, heartwarming story! My 5 1/2-year-old son loves it and thinks it's kind of funny that it makes me cry every time we read it together.
December 6, 2018
I really wanted to love this story. I love the nutcracker and I like the idea of learning Plum's backstory. I love the cheerful colors, the messages about kindness, Plum's sweet character and the story of adoption.
All that wasn't enough to overlook the plot that took giant leaps at every turn. There were too many and then this character randomly appeared moments and all of a sudden moments for me. Likewise, as much as I liked the gay kings adopting Plum at the end and the joy that overflows as a result, it again felt like such a leap. One moment the king is weeping over the loss of his daughter and the moment he is replacing her with another little girl? I needed another beat at least in between those two events.
I have no doubt that little nutcracker and fairy fans will enjoy the magic and character of Plum. However, although this story has the potential to be wonderful it unfortunately falls short for me. I wish a little more time would have been taken to edit this and make it truly fabulous.
Note: I was given this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
All that wasn't enough to overlook the plot that took giant leaps at every turn. There were too many and then this character randomly appeared moments and all of a sudden moments for me. Likewise, as much as I liked the gay kings adopting Plum at the end and the joy that overflows as a result, it again felt like such a leap. One moment the king is weeping over the loss of his daughter and the moment he is replacing her with another little girl? I needed another beat at least in between those two events.
I have no doubt that little nutcracker and fairy fans will enjoy the magic and character of Plum. However, although this story has the potential to be wonderful it unfortunately falls short for me. I wish a little more time would have been taken to edit this and make it truly fabulous.
Note: I was given this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.
November 26, 2018
The storyline dragged on with no flow from beginning to end. It would be difficult for a child to follow. I am Disappointed. I appreciate what they are trying to pull off with the book but it felt very pushed in favor of explaining how Plum joins a family of 2 fathers rather than going for a more developed plot.
December 24, 2018
This book is so all over the place. It's like he had 3 ideas for a book and shoved them all together in a nonsensical mishmash with a little bit of an political stance thrown in for good measure. Poorly written. However, the pictures are wonderful and I love the idea of an orgin story for the sugar plum fairy.
December 11, 2018
I wanted to like this and the premise was good. But it was too confusing. Why was it bad for a dog to get in trouble at Christmas Eve are they going to eat him? Didn't the fairies in the candy land know you had to go to the town that the town wouldn't come to them? I mean they have wings. Also they go to the town and it's all depressing and the fairies are just like "later." Then she meets a king who is depressed because his child died YEARS ago. Then suddenly the town is all sparkling and happy again for no reason. WHAT? I think the authors should have given their story idea to a real picture author to write. The two kings adopting her was very cool though.
December 12, 2018
Super sweet (pun intended), progressive and beautifully drawn. Plum would be a fine addition to any holiday reading list.
December 13, 2018
A great book about a lonely girl in an orphanage, Plum. One night she receives a gift from the magician Drosselmeyer, and her world is changed forever. She finds a forever family with her fathers, King Christopher and King Patrick. A great Christmas tale, wonderful for adopted children.
December 4, 2018
Little Plum is adopted by two kings in a candy kingdom after spending her life in an orphanage. Written by Sean Hayes and his husband Scott Icenogle! Reads like a fable. Very sweet (pun very much intended).
November 29, 2018
what in the what was going on in that book? It was written by a celebrity? aha!
November 28, 2018
The plot is hard to follow for adults, much less kids. Nice illustrations, though.
November 25, 2018
A great book for Nutcracker fans!
November 16, 2018
The story was really cute and the art was great. The only thing that bothered me was that sometimes it rhymed and sometimes it did not. Overall, a very cute book.
November 14, 2018
I was hoping for a super cute story about the Sugar Plum Fairy and, although it was cute, I found it poorly developed and lacking a complete storyline. It felt very rushed and left me with a lot of questions.
November 9, 2018
Plum is about a young girl living at Mary Fitzgerald Orphanage who dreams on Christmas stars to guide them (the other children) to their families. The children were expecting toy donations from the deliveryman but with the storm brewing, the mail was delayed. In order to make sure that everyone gets toys, even those mean to her, Plum, creates the presents. Has she falls asleep she sees a magician, that came with a present filled with cake for her. As she gobbles the piece, she turns into a fairy and enters the world entire made of candy. Along the way to town, she helps some friends and meets King Christopher and King Patrick. While I don’t want to ruin any surprises, I leave you with this. Plum wishes everyone happiness just like the happiness she has received!
Sean Hayes is one of my favorites, which is why I was immediately drawn to his book. The book is incredibly precious and one that should be read during the Christmas season. Hayes and Scott Icenogle really truly did a great job with Plum being their first picturebook and Robin Thompson brought their words to life with the illustrations. I highly recommend the book, read with some milk and cookies the night before Christmas and you’ll fall asleep with sugarplums dancing in your head.
Sean Hayes is one of my favorites, which is why I was immediately drawn to his book. The book is incredibly precious and one that should be read during the Christmas season. Hayes and Scott Icenogle really truly did a great job with Plum being their first picturebook and Robin Thompson brought their words to life with the illustrations. I highly recommend the book, read with some milk and cookies the night before Christmas and you’ll fall asleep with sugarplums dancing in your head.
November 10, 2018
The story of Plum, the lonely little girl who lived at Mary Fitzgerald Orphanage. Read how she saved Christmas, and The Land of Sweets from going sour with her sweet heart, and was adopted and got her wings to become and forever known as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
December 8, 2018
This book is definitely in my top five favorite childrens books! It is cute, imaginative, and delivers a good message! I also appreciate the LGBT acknowledgement!
November 7, 2023
What happens when show biz success stories decide to write an adorable bestseller. Ooh, like a TV prequel to "The Nutcracker," but as a picture book.
This glitzy contrivance is what readers receive.
Right on the inner front flap of the book jacket comes the authors' point of view, as the very first sentence:
"You know the sugar plum fairy."
Why would a four-year old know about a character in "The Nutcracker"? Look, I managed to live for 30 very good years before I ever heard or saw a thing about anybody in "The Nutcracker." Let alone the sugar plum fairy.
Although the pictures here are suitable for a picture book... (Even more, they'd look good for a cartoon on TV...) I don't think the same can be said for the text. Or the story itself. The busy-busy plot doesn't speak to how children think or speak, nor relates to what matters to them in daily life. Except... if kids spend hours a day watching streaming entertainment? This book could be speaking their language.
I wonder if the authors even read any picture books before they parlayed their show biz clout into a deal for this particular title. Here's a sample of the empty-headed dialog:
"We can't even eat this Gummy Grass!" said Buzz.
"And things taste worse the closer you get to the castle."
"Maybe we can fix it," said Plum.
"Afraid not," said Buzz. "We're heading to the village to see if there are any sweets left."
Characters throughout the story look like they come from Central Casting. But they have no personalities, nor any humanity. Frankly, they're more like gimmicks who might be brought to life by some really good actors.
HOW TO RATE THIS COMMODITY?
As usual, I'll rate this book from the perspective of the intended audience. For this book, the audience would likely be children who don't like books much, and maybe haven't been read many good picture books, so they prefer to get their entertainment from a screen. Okay then, FIVE STARS.
For more of my personal perspective, see my COMMENTS below.
This glitzy contrivance is what readers receive.
Right on the inner front flap of the book jacket comes the authors' point of view, as the very first sentence:
"You know the sugar plum fairy."
Why would a four-year old know about a character in "The Nutcracker"? Look, I managed to live for 30 very good years before I ever heard or saw a thing about anybody in "The Nutcracker." Let alone the sugar plum fairy.
Although the pictures here are suitable for a picture book... (Even more, they'd look good for a cartoon on TV...) I don't think the same can be said for the text. Or the story itself. The busy-busy plot doesn't speak to how children think or speak, nor relates to what matters to them in daily life. Except... if kids spend hours a day watching streaming entertainment? This book could be speaking their language.
I wonder if the authors even read any picture books before they parlayed their show biz clout into a deal for this particular title. Here's a sample of the empty-headed dialog:
"We can't even eat this Gummy Grass!" said Buzz.
"And things taste worse the closer you get to the castle."
"Maybe we can fix it," said Plum.
"Afraid not," said Buzz. "We're heading to the village to see if there are any sweets left."
Characters throughout the story look like they come from Central Casting. But they have no personalities, nor any humanity. Frankly, they're more like gimmicks who might be brought to life by some really good actors.
HOW TO RATE THIS COMMODITY?
As usual, I'll rate this book from the perspective of the intended audience. For this book, the audience would likely be children who don't like books much, and maybe haven't been read many good picture books, so they prefer to get their entertainment from a screen. Okay then, FIVE STARS.
For more of my personal perspective, see my COMMENTS below.
December 30, 2018
This book is so sweet. I mean truly saccharine. I wonder there isn’t pancake syrup oozing from it every time you turn a page.
Plum is a kid in an orphanage. She like all the other children is waiting for someone to come and make her part of a family. However, the children don’t seem lonely or miserable; in fact, the whole place could be a kind of cheery boarding school. Then one day Plum is given a magical gift that enables her to fly to a far-off land of candy and sweetness that’s in danger of sinking into gloom—somebody stop me if you’ve heard this one.
While the illustrations are good, with soft edges and somber hues in the real world and brightly colored in the candy realm, there are things that don’t make sense. Why does Drosselmeyer send Plum off to do a grownup’s job? Why does Plum need to offer a ride to two creatures that can clearly fly? What is a king doing in a village instead of his castle and why are his subjects ignoring him? Why is the word “pontoon” misused? (Hey, kudos to the authors for utilizing a word that most children won’t know but a pontoon is defined as a kind of boat not a land vehicle.)
While I liked the idea of two kings adopting a child (such a thing is accepted without fanfare or notice in this world), the story doesn’t quite hang together in little ways. Still, it’s a charming bit of Christmas fluff and a cute little backstory about a side character from Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker ballet.
Plum is a kid in an orphanage. She like all the other children is waiting for someone to come and make her part of a family. However, the children don’t seem lonely or miserable; in fact, the whole place could be a kind of cheery boarding school. Then one day Plum is given a magical gift that enables her to fly to a far-off land of candy and sweetness that’s in danger of sinking into gloom—somebody stop me if you’ve heard this one.
While the illustrations are good, with soft edges and somber hues in the real world and brightly colored in the candy realm, there are things that don’t make sense. Why does Drosselmeyer send Plum off to do a grownup’s job? Why does Plum need to offer a ride to two creatures that can clearly fly? What is a king doing in a village instead of his castle and why are his subjects ignoring him? Why is the word “pontoon” misused? (Hey, kudos to the authors for utilizing a word that most children won’t know but a pontoon is defined as a kind of boat not a land vehicle.)
While I liked the idea of two kings adopting a child (such a thing is accepted without fanfare or notice in this world), the story doesn’t quite hang together in little ways. Still, it’s a charming bit of Christmas fluff and a cute little backstory about a side character from Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker ballet.
December 27, 2024
Plum lived in an orphanage where she was the scrappiest, loneliest and shortest one. A Christmas blizzard delayed their delivery of Christmas gifts. She came downstairs in the middle of the night where Mr. Drosselmeyer, a magician, gave her a gift of a Nuzzlecake. Eating it took her to the Land of Sweets. The Land of Sweets was turning sour. The king was so sad because his daughter had died. Plum gave him her best friend, Dottie, the doll she had made. He decided to adopt her and that rescued the Land of Sweets.
Fourth- or fifth-grade reading level.
There are two kings instead of a king and queen.
Fourth- or fifth-grade reading level.
There are two kings instead of a king and queen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
Plum started out as a cute, generous Christmas story then veered off into social indoctrination. I think the authors needed to decide what they wanted their story to be: sad (which is where it started) heartwarming (which is what Plum herself is) or an agenda (which for me distracted from and took over the story). Plum ended with kindness but with weird leaps, bounds and jumps to get there.
The illustrations are the best part of Plum but I wouldn't buy the book for just them. Thank heavens for libraries.
The illustrations are the best part of Plum but I wouldn't buy the book for just them. Thank heavens for libraries.
February 8, 2020
I found this story to be lovely and wonderful. I will admit I was surprised by the fact that it was two kings who ruled the Land of Sweets, but also, given the authors, not really surprised. It was also done really well, written as if it was normal, which it is and should be.
The illustrations were lovely and went really well with the story. I found the story to be well paced and wonderful as well. I must say the illustrations make me really want to visit the Land of Sweets. It looks delicious.
Absolutely lovely story over all. Really happy with it.
The illustrations were lovely and went really well with the story. I found the story to be well paced and wonderful as well. I must say the illustrations make me really want to visit the Land of Sweets. It looks delicious.
Absolutely lovely story over all. Really happy with it.
May 26, 2021
This is an origin story for the Sugar Plum Fairy and Plum is a sweet, kind little girl, which is awesome. But, there's so many plot holes! Why is it better to lie about a dog breaking something than to tell the truth? How does a king who's mourning his daughter just spontaneously decide to replace her? And, how does he just decide to adopt without discussing it first with his husband?
Gorgeous illustrations, and props for being inclusive, but the story jumped all around and was just okay for me. I won't be using it in story time.
Gorgeous illustrations, and props for being inclusive, but the story jumped all around and was just okay for me. I won't be using it in story time.
April 4, 2019
Okay. So.
This book was adorable. It doesn't strike me as terribly well plotted, the worldbuilding isn't great, and I have a whole bunch of nitpicky questions regarding the adoption process, the timing of the kingdom's sourness, the wisdom of eating potentially hallucinogenic treats from random magicians, and more.
BUT
It's still a really cute book about a little kid who finds her family and grows up to have an awesome theme song.
This book was adorable. It doesn't strike me as terribly well plotted, the worldbuilding isn't great, and I have a whole bunch of nitpicky questions regarding the adoption process, the timing of the kingdom's sourness, the wisdom of eating potentially hallucinogenic treats from random magicians, and more.
BUT
It's still a really cute book about a little kid who finds her family and grows up to have an awesome theme song.
December 26, 2018
Sweet Treat!
As a longtime fan of the television show “Will and Grace”, I was excited to learn that Sean Hayes and his husband had written a children’s book.
This is such a beautiful story of love, generosity, kindness, and perseverance. I’m looking forward to their next installment!
As a longtime fan of the television show “Will and Grace”, I was excited to learn that Sean Hayes and his husband had written a children’s book.
This is such a beautiful story of love, generosity, kindness, and perseverance. I’m looking forward to their next installment!
July 10, 2019
The illustrations were so delightful and I could feel my younger self oohing and ahhing in my mind because they were so magical. I felt like the story itself was a little long and rambling and needed some further shaping *but* I'm only including this because the authors are celebs so they will never read this review!
September 20, 2024
Sweet tale inspired by The Nutcracker, featuring an orphan who wants a family for all the children at the orphanage, and how her kindness heals a kingdom. It's a children's story, people, so be nicer about the one-star reviews and "plot holes". Nicely illustrated, inclusive, and sweet.
December 17, 2018
Charming.
December 19, 2018
Whhhhhhat?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews