Το μικρότερο Χριστουγεννιάτικο Δώρο

by Peter H. Reynolds, Μάρω Ταυρή (Translator)

Όταν φτάνουν τα Χριστούγεννα, ο Ρόλαντ τρέχει στο στολισμένο έλατο να δει τι δώρο τον περιμένει. Αυτό όμως που αντικρίζουν τα μάτια του τον κάνει να παγώσει: Για τούτο το μικροσκοπικό πακετάκι περίμενε όλη τη χρονιά; Μα αυτό είναι το μικρότερο δώρο που έχει δει ποτέ του!
Μια έξυπνη χριστουγεννιάτικη ιστορία από τον βραβευμένο και πολυαγαπημένο Πίτερ Ρέινολντς, που μας θυμίζει ότι ένα μικροσκοπικό δωράκι μπορεί ταυτόχρονα να είναι πολύ μεγάλο. Και ότι το καλύτερο δώρο είναι συχνά κάτι που ήδη έχουμε.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens, Family, Juvenile, Kids

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2013

About the author

Peter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.

Reviews

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

All my students want to know--What was Roland's original present?!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one gets to the heart of the matter like Peter Reynolds. :)

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Roland sees the tiny gift waiting for him under the tree on Christmas morning, he is decidedly unimpressed. Wishing and wishing for something bigger, he finds that his present does indeed grow and grow, until finally he finds a rocket and jets into space, looking for bigger and bigger things. It is only when Earth is reduced to a tiny speck, disappearing in the vastness of space, that Roland reconsiders, realizing that sometimes tiny things can be precious indeed...

The author and illustrator of the "Creatrilogy" - a series of picture-books ( The Dot , Ish and Sky Color ) meant to encourage creativity in young children - Peter H. Reynolds turns his attention to the holiday season in The Smallest Gift of Christmas, and to the importance of family and home at this time. I appreciated the story idea here, and the fact that Roland discovered his mistake in assuming that bigger was better, but I think that perhaps this story type just isn't for me, when it comes to the Christmas fare I prefer. I found myself feeling rather impatient with Roland's attitude, even though I acknowledge that it isn't that uncommon for people, whether adults or children, to get too focused on the gift-receiving aspect of the holiday, to the detriment of more important matters. I had a similar feeling about another holiday picture-book I read recently, A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas, which also featured a child with an unhealthy fixation on gifts. I realize that such situations do arise, but somehow the focus on gift obsession is unappealing to me in a Christmas book, especially if that obsession isn't challenged until the very end of the story. Although not really my cup of tea, I do recommend that Reynolds fans check it out, if they are in the market for Christmas books.

[Ιωάννα Μπαμπέτα · Rating 5 out of 5]

Τόσο ωραίο και τόσο ταιριαστό τώρα που λόγω των συνθηκών θα περάσουμε τις γιορτές σπίτι!

[Henry Herz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roland's disproportionally large Christmas sock hanging from the fireplace mantle immediately tells the reader that he subscribes to the theory, as do many kids, that when it comes to presents, bigger is better. Imagine his disappointment with a tiny present. He wishes for something bigger. And gets it. But it's never enough. A house-sized gift? Not enough. A skyscraper-sized gift? Not enough. The acquisitive (and apparently astronaut-qualified) Roland boards a spaceship to scour the the universe for a larger gift. His insight finally arrives when he looks back and sees Earth as a tiny speck. He longs to return, and realizes in the end that home and family are the greatest gift, even if they appear tiny from a distance.

Fans of Peter Reynolds will not be disappointed. The roughly five-inch square book trim reinforces the theme of appreciating all one's blessings – large and small. Snow-dotted end papers add to the book's holiday feel. The clever use of thin red frames on many of the pages accentuates the small size of the book. Reynolds uses simple illustrations to effectively evoke emotions and to subtly convey the theme. A good book year-round.

[Ayşenur Şirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reynold biraz gözü tok bir çocuk Olsaydı da asıl hediyesinin ne olduğunu öğrenseydik

[Elizabeth K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this one, which I had seen mentioned in a few places as a great new Christmas book. I, as the alleged adult, get the point (the size of a gift is not important, and can even be abstract), but my two year old was THRILLED with the dialogue of the kid shouting "I want a bigger gift!" It just felt obnoxious to me -- the set up was bratty and the "lesson" was heavy-handed for adults yet somehow not at all explicit so I'm sure my toddler missed the whole thing, so it's like the worst of both worlds.

I also found myself wondering why we never find out what was in the kid's original small gift box. I guess the point is that it doesn't matter, but it still annoyed me. For a book where I wasn't buying the message, you could throw me a bone and shore up the plot.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn to the charming illustrations but agree with other reviewers who found it disappointing. Roland's selfishness, greed, and uncalled-for tantrums outweigh his eventual realization that the tiniest gift of all - home and family - can be the "biggest" in terms of meaning. His recognition of his mistake and reversal in his thinking encompass barely the last third of the book; I think what will stick with children from the story is the fuss and fury he makes about not getting an enormous gift in the first place. Also, we never find out what was in the original package that was waiting for him on Christmas morning. The message could have been refined a bit more but, as I said, the illustrations are terrific.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past I really found myself delighted with Peter H. Reynolds. This is the first one for us to own and what a great message it sends. If you wish really hard for a gift what would you want? Is it enough?

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

CUTEST BOOK THIS SEASON!

Ronald, like any child, is excited for Christmas morning~

But, when he saw his tiny gift he was NOT happy!

So...

He closed his eyes and wished for a bigger gift.

And do you know what?

When he opened his eyes there is was...a bigger gift!

If he closed his eyes again could he wish for an even BIGGER gift?

Go with Ronald as his gifts get bigger and bigger...

And he has to go outside and even into the sky to find his biggest gift...

The one that turns out to be a tiny gift after all.

FUN, FUN PICTURES!
ADORABLE STORY!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about appreciating the little things.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story about a boy named Roland who expected a rather large Christmas gift under the tree but finds a very small one. He is not satisfied and complains about it...over and over...and the gift grows larger and larger. This story is a great story to talk about being happy with what is reasonable and not being so greedy. Kids will relate to this one easily and enjoy its message. The illustrations are outstanding and the message is true. Highly recommended for your holiday collection in Grades K-4.

[Ryn Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roland is really excited for Christmas until he sees how SMALL his gift is. So he demands a bigger gift. And gets it... With this sort of magic at his fingertips, what could possibly go wrong?

I’m a huge fan of Peter Reynolds, especially his book The Dot. This one is not as good as that one, but it’s decent. Actually, the premise is quite fun, but the ending was very abrupt and left me wishing for a resolution readers could settle into a little more. Still worth picking up. Three stars.

[shutterbug423 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter H. Reynolds'un Nokta ve Mış Gibi adlı kitaplarını Storytel'de dinlemiştik. Bu kitabı da Aralık 2023'de 55 liraya almışım. Okumaya sıra yeni geldi. Okul öncesi çocuklar için ideal görünse de (ki yazıları az resimleri fazla bir kitap) kitabın alt metni ve mesajı bazı çocukları için biraz fazla soyut kalabilir. O nedenle ebeveyn desteği ile kitabın anlatmak istediği, mesaj çocuklara işlenebilir. Dünyanın en güzel hediyesinin insanın kendi ailesi olduğunu bence güzel anlatmış kitap.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy is not happy with his "small" Christmas gift. He wishes again and again for a bigger gift. He finally takes off in a spaceship to go find a bigger gift. Eventually he realizes that his family is more important to him than gifts.

A good book for teaching gratitude and gratefulness during the holidays.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fun, and the cartoony art really enhanced the story. It's very silly from the first image, then proceeds to go off the rails, with a nice moral at the end. (We never do find out what the original gift was, but I guess it doesn't matter; I just expect that that's what would prompt the moral.)

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt several connections to "A Christmas Carol", and although the theme is so valuable, it seems decidedly unattractive when presented in the genre of a Christmas holiday picture book.

PS: What WAS the original small gift? Not only did I want to know--but I also wanted to see Roland's reaction to opening it given his new perspective.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to preschoolers and they loved this book a lot. It's a good one to talk about as you read it. I enjoyed reading it just as much as they liked listening to it. I recommend this book. It's cute.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roland gets a small present but wants a bigger and bigger one. Finally he leaves earth in a rocket to find a really big present. Then he sees Earth about to disappear it is so small and far away. Then he realized his real gift is small...it's home...and he wishes himself back.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Roland selfishly wants a bigger and bigger gift. In fact, nothing on Earth will satisfy him. But when he ends up far from home, his entitlement and selfishness fades away and he recognizes what really matters.

[Evan Teter]

This could be a good book to read during the holiday season, but I would pair it with a book about a different culture's holiday because I may have students that don't celebrate Christmas. The main character wants the biggest possible gift, until he realizes the greatest gift is being home.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ungrateful child keeps demanding a bigger gift Dudley-Dursley style--but when he zooms away in a rocket to seek a bigger gift, he realizes his family (a small speck from out the window) is his best gift. A cute message for a time of year that can get overwhelmed by presents.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saccharine & unlikely. Sure, I can suspend disbelief for the wishes granted, but you think the kid would learn his lesson that easily? Who is the target audience for this?

Impulse at library because Reynolds, so disappointed.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Peter Reynold's illustrations! This is one of those holiday books that doesn't have a strong plot but has a sweet message about the real meaning of Christmas. I'm not sure how engaged younger children would be but the boy does fly to outer space so there are some fun elements.

[Lupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shared this book with my oldest students at school. It was a nice way to introduce the concept of thankfulness. They were engaged in the book and the lesson. I may use this book every year in my December lessons and I know they are waiting to check it out already!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book with a great message!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful message about the importance of the people in our lives. That is the greatest gift of all.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved this book! Great message and it left just a little bit of wonder and speculation.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book focuses on what’s really important at Christmas.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches us what is most important when it comes to gifts.