I enjoyed the illustrations immensely in Little Robin’s Christmas. This story by Jan Fearnley is sweet. But it did not hit the right note with me. The point of the story is obvious (be kind to others) and the ending was a bit forced for my liking. The cameo by another person we associate with the color of red and a winter holiday was a little disappointing.
Little Robin has seven vest and each day he puts a new one on. But as he goes about the day enjoying skating, sledding and more, there is always a friend in need (the frog, the baby otter, the rabbit). And each time Robin must help by giving a vest away. Until it is Christmas Eve and there are no more vests. And now Robin is cold. Yet above friend finds a special gift to give.
While it is nice Robin gets a new vest as a gift, I was saddened that it was not his friends who gave back to him, but the Guy in Red. As much as I like the theme of giving to others without thought of receiving in return, this story seemed to push that theme a little bit hard as they show subtraction. Perhaps if the educational part had been a little less obviously there and flowed more naturally, that part would not have been as harsh on my inner reading ear.
With all that said, this is truly a lovely book; just not one that I will put on my top ten lists. However, the colors and details of the illustrations were a pleasant addition to a Christmas/holiday/winter tale.