Gus and Grandpa and the Christmas Cookies

The characters from Gus and Grandpa rediscover the true meaning of the holiday when Gus summons the courage to give money to a Santa collecting money for the poor and is rewarded with another opportunity for giving. Read more Continue reading Read less FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Kindergarten-Grade 2. A warm story that's true to the holiday spirit. Gus and Grandpa enjoy baking cookies together for Christmas. They love to yell at the dough when it sticks, eat it raw from the bowl, and cut out holiday shapes with their cookie cutters. While shopping for ingredients, they see a man in a Santa suit ringing a bell, and Grandpa explains to Gus that he is collecting money for poor children. Gus puts his two quarters in the kettle, and they return home. After three neighbors stop by, each with two dozen cookies for Grandpa, the two bakers suddenly have too many goodies, and Gus asks if the same children who needed his quarters could use the extra cookies. Off they go to take them to the Santa with the kettle, who offers to take them to the Christmas party at the homeless shelter. The sentences in this beginning reader may be simple, but they say a great deal, e.g., "Gus felt warm inside, even though it was still snowing." The watercolor illustrations effectively portray a kindly, slightly stooped, but spry Grandpa and an eager little Gus, a perfect team whether they are baking cookies, standing outside surrounded by soft white snow, or just thinking together.
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