The Magical Christmas Store

With his family struggling financially, Benji, a bespectacled child in a red hat, wishes he could bring them joy with spectacular holiday presents. On Christmas Eve, his wish is granted: a "ginormous" polar bear ushers Benji into a gilded, glamorous emporium, illustrated in lush digital spreads by Giang, where an ebullient cast of animal clerks helps him shop. Benji scores a funny-sounding trumpet for his younger sister, a fabulous imaginary hat for his grandmother, and a jar for his father that smells like "family movie night on the couch, like walks together in the fall, like a hug from the person you love most"--all for the cost of a silly song and "one exceptional story." Benji and the rest of his cued-Asian family share a festive dinner before enjoying a particularly happy Christmas morning in this heartwarming narrative by Powell-Tuck, which emphasizes imagination and love over expense. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2--Window shopping on Christmas Eve leaves Benji feeling blue. This year his family doesn't have enough money to celebrate Christmas with a tree, turkey, and presents. On his way home, he runs into a white polar bear who leads him to an extraordinary gift store. A shiny steam engine appears on a golden track that transports him to magical rooms to find gifts for his family. Benji finds a trumpet for his sister in the room of silly sounds. A magnificent hat just right for his grandma appears in the room of imaginary gifts. And he finds a jar of joy in the room of fabulous smells for his dad. Benji is asked to only sing a song and tell a story as payment. He is excited to go home and place the new presents under his tree. But on Christmas morning he is disappointed to see just an empty hat box, a twisted trumpet, and a jelly jar. To Benji's surprise, everyone declares the resourceful gifts "wonderful." Giang portrays the gift store as a glittering wonderland through a painterly palette of bright holiday colors that pop off the page. Benji and his family present as Asian, and anthropomorphic animals run the Magical Christmas Store. VERDICT Cute illustrations accompany a story that imparts a vision of heartfelt Yuletide traditions.--Rita Christensen, Orem P.L., UT