Staff Pick

The Christmassy Cactus

Beth Ferry, A. N. Kang (Illustrator)

$18.99

Publication Date: September 12th, 2023

Publisher:

HarperCollins

ISBN:

9780063039643

Pages:

Usually Ships in 1 to 5 Days

Description

Bestselling author Beth Ferry of Stick and Stone and The Scarecrow is back with an irresistible holiday picture book.

Tiny Cactus loves Christmas!

But she doesn’t love that her little girl seems to be spending more time with the giant sparkly tree in the living room than with her. Maybe if she were decorated like the Christmas tree, her little girl would notice her again.

And so Tiny Cactus makes a wish—to be special, to be noticed, to be a part of the magic of Christmas. With the support of her friend and some Christmas magic, Tiny Cactus learns that wishes can come true if you believe hard enough.

About the Author

Beth Ferry is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous picture books, including Stick and Stone, The Scarecrow, and The Nice Dream Truck. She lives with her family by the beach in New Jersey, where she finds inspiration in the salty air.

A. N. Kang is a Korean-born designer who started her career designing giftware, jewelry, and greeting cards. Later she also designed holiday installations all over New York City. She debuted as an author and illustrator with her picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Her main source of inspiration is her love of animals. It’s her dream to rescue injured baby wild animals like owls and penguins or any animals that would tolerate her constant hugs and kisses. A. N. Kang can be found online at annakangdesign.com.

Praise for The Christmassy Cactus

Little readers will be delighted by the holiday magic …This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens. — Kirkus Reviews

Kang’s enchanting illustrations are perfect for young children. An excellent addition to a holiday collection. — School Library Journal (starred review)

The spiky protagonist makes a holiday wish, which remains ungranted through Christmas Day—until nature delivers a wondrous surprise. Kang uses charcoal, pencil, ink, and digital techniques to create soft digital renderings that emphasize creamy reds and greens, helping this empathetic portrait to blossom. — Publishers Weekly

[A friendly-looking prickly pear cactus] doesn't get her desired decorations, [and] something magical happens that allows her to feel quite festive and part of the holiday, along with the loving family. — Booklist

The text’s simple, vivid descriptors evoke the infectious bustle of holiday traditions. The reds and greens of Christmas decor within this family’s pink-hued household, shown on creamy, off-white pages, increase the coziness. — Horn Book Magazine