The Most Wonderful Gift in the World

Good things may come in small packages, but the best things aren’t things at all.

Esme is celebrating Christmas with Bear, a grayish-brown, anthropomorphic bear who appears to live with her. They find a last present under the tree with a gift tag reading “For Little Bunny Boo-Boo, Love, Santa.” While Bear wants to open the gift, Esme proposes they bring it to the intended recipient, though they don’t know who or where Little Bunny Boo-Boo is. Luckily, someone has placed helpful, very specific signs pointing the way through the snowy landscape. While others might’ve been deterred by signs describing the “TREACHEROUS PATH,” “HOWLING GALE,” and “DEEP, DEEP snow drifts” the pair must traverse to reach Little Bunny Boo-Boo, Esme and Bear persevere and carry the gift with them. When they arrive at the bespectacled brown rabbit’s cozy house, she welcomes the pair and eagerly opens the present, only to find it empty. But wait! A tiny note from Santa reveals that Little Bunny Boo-Boo, who’s only recently moved into her cabin, has actually received “exactly what [she] asked for”: new friends! Esme is depicted as a light-skinned human girl with black, straight hair and dark eyes in Fleming’s appealing, colorful illustrations, which place her characters in a snowy temperate forest.

Copyright 2019 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

When pals Esme and Bear find one last gift under their tree on Christmas morning with a tag reading "For Little Bunny Boo-Boo, Love Santa," they set out to find its intended recipient. Following a series of highly specific signs ("For Little Bunny Boo-Boo's house, follow the treacherous path"), they navigate a slippery trail, a "howling gale," and "deep, deep snow drifts." Upon arrival at Little Bunny Boo-Boo's warm house, Esme and Bear learn that they--two new, true friends--are just the gift that the rabbit had requested. A snowy forest rife with red-capped mushrooms and the three pals dancing and wearing party hats are among Fleming's friendly visuals, which buoy the story's joyful tone. Sperring's bighearted holiday tale reminds readers that the most prized presents are not always purchased and wrapped. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)