The Christmas Sweater by Jan Brett
THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER
Written and illustrated by Jan Brett
(G.P. Putnam’s Sons BYR; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
DESCRIPTION:
“THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER, partly inspired by the Ancient Greek myth of Ariadne, weaves a heartwarming tale of an adventurous boy and an adorable pug in a Christmas sweater who saves the day.”
REVIEW:
One of the many reasons my family has loved Jan Brett’s books, in addition to their stunning artwork, is their re-readability. Even for this review, I found myself eager to return right back to the beginning after my initial read to make sure I caught every last detail. Not only was I delighted to see all the clues depicted in Brett’s signature margin art, but I appreciated the chance to admire all the warm winter scenes.
Theo has an adorable puppy, Ari. On Christmas morning, Theo’s Yiayia (Grandma) shares a handmade red sweater she’s knitted for the pug, but it’s not Ari’s cup of tea. Thoughtful Theo wants to convey both his and Ari’s appreciation for their gifts—Theo’s gotten cool snowshoes—so he decides to go on a hike with his dog to use the Christmas presents. “After packing gingerbread, dog cookies, and hot cocoa,
off we went.”
Dog walkers are out and about in the snow in a sweet scene that made me want to join in, even though I don’t have a dog! But not everyone is heading for Echo Lake. The trek is usually familiar to Theo, though today the snow is much higher than usual and still falling. This makes navigating difficult, but he perseveres nonetheless. With Ari in his backpack, Theo is confident he will soon arrive at the lake.
Unfortunately, when Theo reaches Echo Lake, he is unsure how to get back because all his tracks are buried in the snow. All the while, readers see magpies seeking out shiny objects in the border illustrations of red wool, which tell the tale of what has happened during the hike. Feeling lost and concerned, Theo also notices that Ari’s sweater is gone. “The woods were transformed, but how could a bright red sparkly sweater disappear?” The relationship between Theo and Ari is so heartwarming that even non-dog lovers will find the pair’s dynamic charming.
Fortunately for Theo and Ari, the pup spies something in the snow, something the magpies have taken that readers may have spotted, that helps them retrace their path home. That’s what never ceases to make Brett’s style so engaging. And, without giving too much away, in a wonderfully rewarding surprise for both Ari and Theo, the unraveled Christmas sweater turns out to be the initially unwanted gift that keeps on giving in this magical holiday story.
Find out more about the inimitable Jan Brett here.
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