The Christmas Boot

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
In the spirit of Christmas classics The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas comes a holiday tale about the magic of Santa, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney
 
Lonely Hannah is delighted to discover a warm black boot as she gathers kindling in the forest. A poor woman, she doesn't have proper shoes on her cold feet. "Glory be! I only wish I had your mate," she says to the boot, and the next morning, to her great surprise, there is not just one boot but two sitting by her bed! More wishes bring even better gifts—but the best is still to come: A visitor arrives at her door—a man with a big white beard, wearing a red suit and only one boot. Who could this magical visitor be? Santa Claus, of course! And he has one more surprise in store for Hannah: She wakes up the next morning to find a new puppy waiting for her!
Lisa Wheeler is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for children. She lives in southeast Michigan. View titles by Lisa Wheeler
JERRY PINKNEY was one of America’s most acclaimed illustrators. He won the Caldecott Medal, five Caldecott Honors, five Coretta Scott King Awards, five Coretta Scott King Honors, five New York Times Best Illustrated Awards, the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show Lifetime Achievement Award, and many other prizes and honors. His long list of celebrated titles includes Mirandy and Brother Wind, The Little Red Hen, The Little Match Girl, and The Lion & The Mouse

His family includes a number of acclaimed children's book creators: his son, artist Brian Pinkney; his daughter-in-law, author and children's book editor Andrea Davis Pinkney; and his granddaughter, author-illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.

Jerry Pinkney passed away on October 20, 2021 at the age of 81. View titles by Jerry Pinkney
Praise for The Christmas Boot

Winner of the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text

"[A] folksy fable about deprivation, abundance, and the spirit of Christmas. . . . As always, Pinkney's soft, colorful watercolors find deep beauty and interest in simple things." —The New York Times Book Review

* "Pinkney enhances the strong text with his delightful watercolor illustrations filled with homey details and swirling snowflakes. . . . A winner of a story with enchanting illustrations by a master." —Kirkus, starred review

* "Gently told and exquisitely illustrated, this holiday jewel centers on Hannah Greyweather, a poor woman who lives in a 'ramshackle cabin' and finds a boot in the snow. . . . Pinkney's meticulously detailed art exudes old-world charm and is a splendid match for Wheeler's tender tale about taking only what one needs."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The story's warm folktale feel is heightened by the Caledcott medalist Pinkney's glowing art, alive with details and overflowing with ambiance. . . . Here is a holiday book that provides something to talk about as well as look at."—Booklist

About

In the spirit of Christmas classics The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas comes a holiday tale about the magic of Santa, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney
 
Lonely Hannah is delighted to discover a warm black boot as she gathers kindling in the forest. A poor woman, she doesn't have proper shoes on her cold feet. "Glory be! I only wish I had your mate," she says to the boot, and the next morning, to her great surprise, there is not just one boot but two sitting by her bed! More wishes bring even better gifts—but the best is still to come: A visitor arrives at her door—a man with a big white beard, wearing a red suit and only one boot. Who could this magical visitor be? Santa Claus, of course! And he has one more surprise in store for Hannah: She wakes up the next morning to find a new puppy waiting for her!

Author

Lisa Wheeler is the award-winning author of more than 30 books for children. She lives in southeast Michigan. View titles by Lisa Wheeler
JERRY PINKNEY was one of America’s most acclaimed illustrators. He won the Caldecott Medal, five Caldecott Honors, five Coretta Scott King Awards, five Coretta Scott King Honors, five New York Times Best Illustrated Awards, the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show Lifetime Achievement Award, and many other prizes and honors. His long list of celebrated titles includes Mirandy and Brother Wind, The Little Red Hen, The Little Match Girl, and The Lion & The Mouse

His family includes a number of acclaimed children's book creators: his son, artist Brian Pinkney; his daughter-in-law, author and children's book editor Andrea Davis Pinkney; and his granddaughter, author-illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.

Jerry Pinkney passed away on October 20, 2021 at the age of 81. View titles by Jerry Pinkney

Praise

Praise for The Christmas Boot

Winner of the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text

"[A] folksy fable about deprivation, abundance, and the spirit of Christmas. . . . As always, Pinkney's soft, colorful watercolors find deep beauty and interest in simple things." —The New York Times Book Review

* "Pinkney enhances the strong text with his delightful watercolor illustrations filled with homey details and swirling snowflakes. . . . A winner of a story with enchanting illustrations by a master." —Kirkus, starred review

* "Gently told and exquisitely illustrated, this holiday jewel centers on Hannah Greyweather, a poor woman who lives in a 'ramshackle cabin' and finds a boot in the snow. . . . Pinkney's meticulously detailed art exudes old-world charm and is a splendid match for Wheeler's tender tale about taking only what one needs."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The story's warm folktale feel is heightened by the Caledcott medalist Pinkney's glowing art, alive with details and overflowing with ambiance. . . . Here is a holiday book that provides something to talk about as well as look at."—Booklist

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