Gifts of the Heart

Written & illustrated by Patricia Polacco

Two kids learn the true meaning of Christmas with a mysterious housekeeper's help.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 459 ratings

40 pages· 3,048 words· Est. 24 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Richie and Trisha face a Christmas dilemma: no money for gifts. Enter Kay Lamity, a whirlwind housekeeper with a secret. As she challenges their beliefs about Santa, she reveals the power of heartfelt gifts. Will her lessons transform their holiday into an unforgettable celebration? Discover the magic of giving in this enchanting tale.

From the publisher

Beloved author-illustrator Patricia Polacco’s holiday story is a wonderful ode to the magic of family, Christmas, and giving the right kind of gifts–gifts filled with love. Richie and Trisha want to buy Christmas gifts for their family, but they don’t have enough money. Enter Kay Lamity, a new housekeeper . . . but is that all she is? She comes into their lives like a whirlwind, brimming with positive energy and a can-do attitude. Kay not only straightens them out when it comes to whether or not Santa Claus is real, she teaches them something about gifts: the just-good-enough kind that come from the pocketbook and the unforgettable kind that come from the heart. Because of Kay, Trisha and Richie–and the family–have a Christmas morning they will never forget. Celebrating the joy of homemade gifts, Patricia Polacco introduces readers to a new character who is truly a force of nature in this story reminiscent of Christmas Tapestry and An Orange for Frankie. This is a magical Christmas story the author swears is true, right down to the sleigh tracks on the farmhouse roof!

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