Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift {Hardcover} (Ages 5-8)

A Christmas and Hanukkah Story

I almost didn’t review this book because I subscribe to the Linus Van Pelt philosophy to never talk about religion or politics (or The Great Pumpkin).  It is not that I don’t have opinions, it is just they are my opinions that I open up about when there is good reason.  I don’t feel the need to debate and change yours because I know the hurt and struggles that have caused in my own life and that unless you are hurting someone, I do not care one way or the other what you believe.  It is probably my coping mechanism against unnecessary arguments (I love the philosophical conversations but those are few and far between), but hey, it works for me!  It is probably why I really loved this book when I read it and why would I not share that?  I am a review site, after all.  This book spoke to me (Kirkus Review calls it an interpretation of O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi”, which is pretty accurate considering how little funding the bears have in getting gifts).  If the two main (bear) characters could love each other so much despite their different religions and care enough to find each other gifts they would both enjoy, then maybe there is hope.  Boris the Jewish bear wanted to give the love of his life, Stella, the perfect Christmas gift.  Meanwhile, Stella the Christian bear wanted to give the love of her life, Boris, the perfect Hanukkah gift.  The words are sweet and subtle ending with gifts of a Christmas star for the tree and a dreidel while the real message of love and acceptance flowing like water under a bridge.  It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that people can follow that message in their own lives and perhaps we would all have a nicer holiday season.

Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift {Hardcover} (Ages 5-8)

www.sleepingbearpress.com

List Price: $15.99