What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gift of Words
An inspirational holiday story celebrating the power of words -- an epic follow-up to the New York Times bestselling classic The Word Collector by creative visionary Peter H. Reynolds.
"So many words, strung together, shimmering and dreamy. So many people, connected, together, hopeful and united. And that was the power of the gift of words. A gift for all."
Jerome is looking forward to collecting words this holiday season! Words of hope, love, and joy to share with his loved ones. But as he begins his search, he discovers that inspirational words are hard to come by. In the end, Jerome finds a way to connect with his community and join together in sharing the greatest gift of the gift of words.
From our most celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds, comes an uplifting holiday tale about the power of the gift of words -- an important addition to the Word Collector collection, and the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
"So many words, strung together, shimmering and dreamy. So many people, connected, together, hopeful and united. And that was the power of the gift of words. A gift for all."
Jerome is looking forward to collecting words this holiday season! Words of hope, love, and joy to share with his loved ones. But as he begins his search, he discovers that inspirational words are hard to come by. In the end, Jerome finds a way to connect with his community and join together in sharing the greatest gift of the gift of words.
From our most celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds, comes an uplifting holiday tale about the power of the gift of words -- an important addition to the Word Collector collection, and the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
Paperback
First published October 7, 2025
About the author
Peter H. Reynolds
222 books977 followersPeter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 20, 2026
In a Nutshell: A lovely picture book about the beauty and power of words. Set around Christmas season but applicable throughout the year. Adorable lead character, wonderful message and stunning illustrations. Much recommended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I've been on a reading binge of whatever picture books I can find written by Peter H. Reynolds. His heartwarming writing and beautiful illustrations are just what I need when the world is going crazier by the day. It's somewhat meta that this book ends up doing exactly what its protagonist Jerome wants to do: use words to spread positivity in a world that's increasingly dismal and self-centred.
Jerome is a lovely character. His passion for words is amazing to read, and even more impressive is his determination to find positive words. What I love best is that he didn’t give up even after multiple attempts. He actually took action to remedy the problem instead of just crying or criticising or walking away. Ekko is the perfect companion for Jerome. It is so lovely to see the little dog accompany the little boy enthusiastically on every task.
Jerome’s attempt at a solution involves a tree, which ends up as significant as an actual Christmas tree because of the beauty it ultimately holds on its branches. You can say, this is a Christmas TREE story but not a CHRISTMAS tree story. I do like how the significance of the four Sundays of Advent are hinted at on the cover.
As the story unfurls during Advent time, it shows how the city is more focused on the commercial aspects of Christmas. Despite this, the book is not religious in the traditional sense. There is no overt faith-based content, though it does make indirect references such as ‘season of goodwill’ or show a sleigh full of gift sacks. So the book could work for everyone, Christian believer or not.
The message in the book is very relevant to all of us these days when everywhere we see words of hatred, bigotry, vanity, destruction, and ignorance. Perhaps it is on us readers to be like Jerome and share some positive words with the world.
The story is written in simple prose in a typeface that I loved! There are a couple of tougher words, but nothing that would be a major hurdle for little ones. Because of the nature of the plot and structuring, there are ample opportunities for adults to add sound effects and actions and exaggerated emotions to the story while reading this book aloud.
The illustrations in the book are as jolly and heartwarming as can be expected from this author. Every page is bright and energetic, even when it is filled with snow. The expressions on Jerome’s and Ekko’s faces are perfect. Unlike typical picture books, the illustrations in this story are more significant because they contain elements that the text only refers to. So the writing and the illustrations work in sync to deliver the story. It is rare that illustrations serve the deeper purpose of filling in the textual gaps in picture books. This might stump some early readers but could also be a fabulous way of learning new words. It helps that all the keywords in the pics are written in CAPS.
Definitely recommended. This would be a wonderful book for every little one who knows the value of good words and can remind the adults in their lives of the same. This book would work well in homes as well as classrooms, and suits readers aged 4-8.
4.25 stars.
While picking up this book, I didn’t know that it is a follow-up to ‘The Word Collector’. So off I go looking for it so that I learn how young Jerome’s passion for words began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Young Jerome loves collecting words. Every now and then, he takes his little notebook and walks through town looking for new words with his rescue dog Ekka for company. But this holiday season, he cannot find any words that "warm his heart" even though he looks everywhere. Then an idea strikes him. If he cannot find the words he likes, what if he shares the good words that he already has with the world?
I've been on a reading binge of whatever picture books I can find written by Peter H. Reynolds. His heartwarming writing and beautiful illustrations are just what I need when the world is going crazier by the day. It's somewhat meta that this book ends up doing exactly what its protagonist Jerome wants to do: use words to spread positivity in a world that's increasingly dismal and self-centred.
Jerome is a lovely character. His passion for words is amazing to read, and even more impressive is his determination to find positive words. What I love best is that he didn’t give up even after multiple attempts. He actually took action to remedy the problem instead of just crying or criticising or walking away. Ekko is the perfect companion for Jerome. It is so lovely to see the little dog accompany the little boy enthusiastically on every task.
Jerome’s attempt at a solution involves a tree, which ends up as significant as an actual Christmas tree because of the beauty it ultimately holds on its branches. You can say, this is a Christmas TREE story but not a CHRISTMAS tree story. I do like how the significance of the four Sundays of Advent are hinted at on the cover.
As the story unfurls during Advent time, it shows how the city is more focused on the commercial aspects of Christmas. Despite this, the book is not religious in the traditional sense. There is no overt faith-based content, though it does make indirect references such as ‘season of goodwill’ or show a sleigh full of gift sacks. So the book could work for everyone, Christian believer or not.
The message in the book is very relevant to all of us these days when everywhere we see words of hatred, bigotry, vanity, destruction, and ignorance. Perhaps it is on us readers to be like Jerome and share some positive words with the world.
The story is written in simple prose in a typeface that I loved! There are a couple of tougher words, but nothing that would be a major hurdle for little ones. Because of the nature of the plot and structuring, there are ample opportunities for adults to add sound effects and actions and exaggerated emotions to the story while reading this book aloud.
The illustrations in the book are as jolly and heartwarming as can be expected from this author. Every page is bright and energetic, even when it is filled with snow. The expressions on Jerome’s and Ekko’s faces are perfect. Unlike typical picture books, the illustrations in this story are more significant because they contain elements that the text only refers to. So the writing and the illustrations work in sync to deliver the story. It is rare that illustrations serve the deeper purpose of filling in the textual gaps in picture books. This might stump some early readers but could also be a fabulous way of learning new words. It helps that all the keywords in the pics are written in CAPS.
Definitely recommended. This would be a wonderful book for every little one who knows the value of good words and can remind the adults in their lives of the same. This book would work well in homes as well as classrooms, and suits readers aged 4-8.
4.25 stars.
While picking up this book, I didn’t know that it is a follow-up to ‘The Word Collector’. So off I go looking for it so that I learn how young Jerome’s passion for words began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
January 13, 2026
Being an avid word collector, a young man wishes to share holiday words with his family and friends but discovers the words associated with modern commercialized Christmas celebrations are overwhelmingly negative.
"Jerome felt inspired to collect words. Holiday words. Words of hope. Words of joy. Words to give to those he loved -- family and friends."
Jerome is a word collector. He collectors the words around him. For Christmas he wants to share holiday words with his family and friends, but when he sets out with his notebook, he is shocked to discover the most common words are associated with the consumption of poor quality cheap products, global crises, frustration, anger, and entitlement. In response, he runs home and searches his own word collection for positive words relevant to the celebration of Christmas. He decorates a tree in the park with them and invites his family, friends, and community to join him.
This story shines a light on the negative side of secular Christmas observance as it demonstrates the power of words. It also shows how one person is able to affect positive change.
"Jerome felt inspired to collect words. Holiday words. Words of hope. Words of joy. Words to give to those he loved -- family and friends."
Jerome is a word collector. He collectors the words around him. For Christmas he wants to share holiday words with his family and friends, but when he sets out with his notebook, he is shocked to discover the most common words are associated with the consumption of poor quality cheap products, global crises, frustration, anger, and entitlement. In response, he runs home and searches his own word collection for positive words relevant to the celebration of Christmas. He decorates a tree in the park with them and invites his family, friends, and community to join him.
This story shines a light on the negative side of secular Christmas observance as it demonstrates the power of words. It also shows how one person is able to affect positive change.
November 9, 2025
Just lovely
January 6, 2026
Reynolds does it again. So glad to see Jerome return to spread literacy and joy in the world. Highly recommended!
September 18, 2025
we all need kind words in our life!
July 18, 2026
Um livro muito bonito, com ótimas ilustrações natalícias e que ajuda a trabalhar com as crianças o poder das palavras.
June 5, 2025
In THE GIFT OF WORDS, Jerome, from Reynolds’ earlier picture book, THE WORD COLLECTOR, is on the hunt on the streets of his neighborhood for words that inspire his friends and neighbors. “Holiday words. Words of hope. Words of joy.” But all he sees are words connected to the commercialization of the winter holidays, words that invoke fear from the headlines and leave him cold and a certainly without joy. But, he is the word collector and his box at home is filled with wonderful words, and putting bags of those words on a sled, Jerome sets out to decorate a tree with them and invites those around him to add to the positivity with their own words.
Peter Reynolds has a knack for creating picture books that leave readers, young and not so young, feeling warmer and with a more positive view of the world. Yes, this is a picture book and yes, most of those are written for a certain age group, but this one, just like DOT, ISH, and SKY COLOR, should become part of counseling offices, SEL lessons and classrooms of children from PK and up through teenage years as a reminder of the power of words. I can see schools putting up their own word trees year round, much like schools have used the tree in Katherine Applegate’s WISHTREE to encourage more thoughtful use of words and the power of people to change the thinking and feeling around us.
Highly recommended for all.
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic and the Literary Feast event.
Peter Reynolds has a knack for creating picture books that leave readers, young and not so young, feeling warmer and with a more positive view of the world. Yes, this is a picture book and yes, most of those are written for a certain age group, but this one, just like DOT, ISH, and SKY COLOR, should become part of counseling offices, SEL lessons and classrooms of children from PK and up through teenage years as a reminder of the power of words. I can see schools putting up their own word trees year round, much like schools have used the tree in Katherine Applegate’s WISHTREE to encourage more thoughtful use of words and the power of people to change the thinking and feeling around us.
Highly recommended for all.
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic and the Literary Feast event.
November 28, 2025
Ο Τζερόμ βγαίνει μια βόλτα στους χιονισμένους δρόμους μαζί με τον σκύλο του, Έκο. Θέλει να συλλέξει λέξεις ελπίδας και χαράς για να τις μοιράσει σε φίλους και συγγενείς που αγαπάει. Αρχίζει λοιπόν να ψάχνει σε όλη την πόλη, μόνο που ό,τι βλέπει και ό,τι ακούει δεν τον ικανοποιεί. Είναι μέρες γιορτών αλλά παντού συναντά φράσεις που δε ζεσταίνουν την καρδιά του («Εκπτώσεις», «Αγοράστε», «Φτηνά» κλπ.), οπότε στρέφεται στο περίπτερο, όπου τα πρωτοσέλιδα των εφημερίδων μιλάνε για φτώχεια, λειψυδρία κλπ. Το παιδί κοιτά τον κόσμο γύρω του και ακούει λέξεις λύπης, απογοήτευσης και εκνευρισμού. Όλα αυτά όμως αντί να τον αποθαρρύνουν του δίνουν μια ιδέα: «Γιατί να μη βρει τρόπο να δώσει στους ανθρώπους τις λέξεις που χρειάζονταν»; Γιορτινές λέξεις, λέξεις καλοσύνης, χαρούμενες και θετικές, από την πλούσια συλλογή του! Πώς θα το κάνει λοιπόν; Πώς θα καταφέρει να ενώσει ανθρώπους και ζώα κάτω από τις λέξεις και να φωτίσει τη ζωή τους;
Ένα υπέροχο, απολαυστικό και τρυφερό παραμύθι που, με αφορμή τη φωτεινή κατά τα άλλα περίοδο των γιορτών, δείχνει στους μικρούς αναγνώστες πόσο ψυχρή, τυπική και εκνευριστική έχει καταντήσει η καθημερινότητα όλων και πόσο πολύ έχει κυριεύσει τον κόσμο η ανασφάλεια και ο φόβος. Μέσα από την ιστορία του Τζερόμ ο συγγραφέας ρίχνει φως και ζεσταίνει τις καρδιές μικρών και μεγάλων. Ξεκινάει την ιστορία του με γκρίζα, ψυχρά χρώματα και μ’ ένα παιδί που περπατάει μόνο του, παρατηρώντας τον κόσμο γύρω του, σύντομα όμως η καταθλιπτική αυτή κατάσταση θα γεννήσει μια ιδέα στον Τζερόμ κι από εκείνο το σημείο η δράση απογειώνεται. Με ένα αξιέπαινο σεναριακό εύρημα οι άνθρωποι αλλάζουν, έρχονται πιο κοντά και ενώνουν τις φωνές τους για ειρήνη, αγάπη, ελπίδα, χαρά, ευτυχία, ενότητα κ. π. ά.
Εξίσου γλυκά και όμορφα εικονογραφεί ο συγγραφέας το κείμενό του, διαλέγοντας ζωηρά χρώματα και άφθαστη ομορφιά στα σχέδιά του. Ποικιλία χαρακτηριστικών και χρωμάτων, άνθρωποι αρτιμελείς και σε αμαξίδιο, όλων των φυλών και θρησκειών γεμίζουν τις σελίδες, δείχνοντας στα παιδιά την οικουμενικότητα του κειμένου και τονίζοντας την αποδοχή της διαφορετικότητας. Οι χιλιάδες λέξεις θα χαρίσουν ατέλειωτες ώρες ανάγνωσης και εκμάθησης στα παιδιά και πολλά στιγμιότυπα θα φέρουν αβίαστο γέλιο (όπως οι άνθρωποι μπροστά στη βιτρίνα των παιχνιδιών, τα οποία επίσης είναι για κλάματα όπως αποτυπώνονται).
«Το δώρο των λέξεων» είναι μια πραγματική έκπληξη για μικρούς και μεγάλους. Τα πάντα θα γίνουν καλύτερα μετά από αυτό αλλά πού και πώς θα μοιραστούν αυτές οι λέξεις στον κόσμο; Μια γλυκιά και τρυφερή ιστορία γεμάτη θετικά και χαρούμενα μηνύματα.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: https://www.vivliokritikes.com/%ce%b4...
Ένα υπέροχο, απολαυστικό και τρυφερό παραμύθι που, με αφορμή τη φωτεινή κατά τα άλλα περίοδο των γιορτών, δείχνει στους μικρούς αναγνώστες πόσο ψυχρή, τυπική και εκνευριστική έχει καταντήσει η καθημερινότητα όλων και πόσο πολύ έχει κυριεύσει τον κόσμο η ανασφάλεια και ο φόβος. Μέσα από την ιστορία του Τζερόμ ο συγγραφέας ρίχνει φως και ζεσταίνει τις καρδιές μικρών και μεγάλων. Ξεκινάει την ιστορία του με γκρίζα, ψυχρά χρώματα και μ’ ένα παιδί που περπατάει μόνο του, παρατηρώντας τον κόσμο γύρω του, σύντομα όμως η καταθλιπτική αυτή κατάσταση θα γεννήσει μια ιδέα στον Τζερόμ κι από εκείνο το σημείο η δράση απογειώνεται. Με ένα αξιέπαινο σεναριακό εύρημα οι άνθρωποι αλλάζουν, έρχονται πιο κοντά και ενώνουν τις φωνές τους για ειρήνη, αγάπη, ελπίδα, χαρά, ευτυχία, ενότητα κ. π. ά.
Εξίσου γλυκά και όμορφα εικονογραφεί ο συγγραφέας το κείμενό του, διαλέγοντας ζωηρά χρώματα και άφθαστη ομορφιά στα σχέδιά του. Ποικιλία χαρακτηριστικών και χρωμάτων, άνθρωποι αρτιμελείς και σε αμαξίδιο, όλων των φυλών και θρησκειών γεμίζουν τις σελίδες, δείχνοντας στα παιδιά την οικουμενικότητα του κειμένου και τονίζοντας την αποδοχή της διαφορετικότητας. Οι χιλιάδες λέξεις θα χαρίσουν ατέλειωτες ώρες ανάγνωσης και εκμάθησης στα παιδιά και πολλά στιγμιότυπα θα φέρουν αβίαστο γέλιο (όπως οι άνθρωποι μπροστά στη βιτρίνα των παιχνιδιών, τα οποία επίσης είναι για κλάματα όπως αποτυπώνονται).
«Το δώρο των λέξεων» είναι μια πραγματική έκπληξη για μικρούς και μεγάλους. Τα πάντα θα γίνουν καλύτερα μετά από αυτό αλλά πού και πώς θα μοιραστούν αυτές οι λέξεις στον κόσμο; Μια γλυκιά και τρυφερή ιστορία γεμάτη θετικά και χαρούμενα μηνύματα.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: https://www.vivliokritikes.com/%ce%b4...
Read
December 14, 2025See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/the-gift-o...
THE GIFT OF WORDS is a lovely holiday picture book. Jerome is looking for the perfect words to capture the holidays, but he is unable to find the right ones. He soon has an idea and creates a tree for people to add their favorite positive words. Together, they create something beautiful.
What I loved: This is a lovely nonspecific holiday read about the power of words and language to bring people together and evoke emotions. While he encounters words at stores about sales and purchases and he finds words from the news, these are not really what the season is about. Instead, he and his community create something more positive and lovely together. These themes are clear and powerful with great messages for young readers.
This would be a great pick for a classroom or group setting where children can help to pick their own positive words to add to a group collection, recreating the tree. This also creates some thoughtfulness about the words can make us and others feel with a note of care. The illustrations are lovely and colorful with plenty of great things to examine on each page.
While the holiday is nonspecific, there are only a few Christmas-related images, limited to what is on the cover of the book (sleigh with bags). As such, it could work in nonspecific holiday settings well.
Final verdict: THE GIFT OF WORDS is a lovely picture book about the power of words with a holiday touch.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
THE GIFT OF WORDS is a lovely holiday picture book. Jerome is looking for the perfect words to capture the holidays, but he is unable to find the right ones. He soon has an idea and creates a tree for people to add their favorite positive words. Together, they create something beautiful.
What I loved: This is a lovely nonspecific holiday read about the power of words and language to bring people together and evoke emotions. While he encounters words at stores about sales and purchases and he finds words from the news, these are not really what the season is about. Instead, he and his community create something more positive and lovely together. These themes are clear and powerful with great messages for young readers.
This would be a great pick for a classroom or group setting where children can help to pick their own positive words to add to a group collection, recreating the tree. This also creates some thoughtfulness about the words can make us and others feel with a note of care. The illustrations are lovely and colorful with plenty of great things to examine on each page.
While the holiday is nonspecific, there are only a few Christmas-related images, limited to what is on the cover of the book (sleigh with bags). As such, it could work in nonspecific holiday settings well.
Final verdict: THE GIFT OF WORDS is a lovely picture book about the power of words with a holiday touch.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
The Word Collector, Jerome, is back in this holiday book sure to become a favorite. Jerome is looking for inspiration this holiday season and he wants to find some good, positive words. The only problem is, everywhere he looks, he sees negative words. Sad ones. Words that don’t inspire hope at all. So, Jerome decides to take matters into his own hands. With the help of his pup, Ekko, he starts a brilliant plan. Will Jerome and Ekko find the words to inspire their community during a tough time? Find out! Maybe you can do it, too.
To be honest, this book almost made me cry. I think the world is sometimes quite harsh, even, maybe especially, during the holidays. If you’re looking for something hopeful this season, I would highly recommend this book.
Finally, my words are: Find something good in every day, even if it’s something small.
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 250
#FirstToCheckOut
To be honest, this book almost made me cry. I think the world is sometimes quite harsh, even, maybe especially, during the holidays. If you’re looking for something hopeful this season, I would highly recommend this book.
Finally, my words are: Find something good in every day, even if it’s something small.
Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 250
#FirstToCheckOut
September 14, 2025
ARC provided by the publisher
Jerome and his dog Ekko take a walk on a snowy day around the holidays, and are dismayed at the amount of negative words in the world. After seeing so many, and failing to collect as many hopeful words as he would like, Jerome goes through his word collection and chooses happier words that he then uses to decorate a tree in his community. Everyone rallies, and the people add more words to the tree and are brought closer together.
The illustrations are a marriage of Keats' The Snowy Day and Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and teachers and librarians will love the hopeful message. I liked the snowflakes in the background of the pictures, and the font was interesting.
Jerome and his dog Ekko take a walk on a snowy day around the holidays, and are dismayed at the amount of negative words in the world. After seeing so many, and failing to collect as many hopeful words as he would like, Jerome goes through his word collection and chooses happier words that he then uses to decorate a tree in his community. Everyone rallies, and the people add more words to the tree and are brought closer together.
The illustrations are a marriage of Keats' The Snowy Day and Seuss' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and teachers and librarians will love the hopeful message. I liked the snowflakes in the background of the pictures, and the font was interesting.
January 7, 2026
MrsK's Review: Excellent Read-Aloud for Word Collecting
Once upon a snowy stroll, Jerome and Ekko felt the inspiration to collect words... with a notebook in hand he would gather words around his town. Yet, the seasonal words did not warm his heart. How would he give hope, or joy, or even Holiday cheer?
But then, he wondered what if? What if could give the words the world needed? In his house there were bags and boxes of words he had carefully collected. Next, he returned to the park... where he created an invite for all of those around. Will a bare tree begin its holiday bloom?
As an educator, life-long reader, and a collector of words, this is wonderful inspiration... I can only imagine what could pop up in our little town,
Joyfully inspired,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
Once upon a snowy stroll, Jerome and Ekko felt the inspiration to collect words... with a notebook in hand he would gather words around his town. Yet, the seasonal words did not warm his heart. How would he give hope, or joy, or even Holiday cheer?
But then, he wondered what if? What if could give the words the world needed? In his house there were bags and boxes of words he had carefully collected. Next, he returned to the park... where he created an invite for all of those around. Will a bare tree begin its holiday bloom?
As an educator, life-long reader, and a collector of words, this is wonderful inspiration... I can only imagine what could pop up in our little town,
Joyfully inspired,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
June 4, 2025
Jerome can’t wait to collect words this holiday season—words of hope, love, and joy to share with the people he cares about. But as he searches, he realizes that finding the right words isn’t always easy. Just when he’s about to give up, Jerome discovers the true power of connection—and learns that the greatest gift of all is sharing words from the heart.
What a sweet book! I love words just like Jerome and loved the feel-good feelings I got from reading this book. The holidays can be a tough time for everyone and I loved how the author had Jerome already collecting words and wanting to bring happiness to others during the holiday season. This is one that will become a holiday favorite!
What a sweet book! I love words just like Jerome and loved the feel-good feelings I got from reading this book. The holidays can be a tough time for everyone and I loved how the author had Jerome already collecting words and wanting to bring happiness to others during the holiday season. This is one that will become a holiday favorite!
January 4, 2026
Another uplifting picture book about Jerome, the word collector. This time, Jerome is trying to collect holiday words to give to friends and family. Unfortunately, the words he sees on signs and hears around the neighborhood are not very warm and joyful. So Jerome gathers up the words he already has and invites everyone around to help him decorate a holiday tree. Oh, and they come up with some great sentences: "GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELPERS." and "I DREAM OF A WORLD WITH NO HUNGER." A lovely story for the season that may inspire young writers to decorate their own holiday tree with their favorite words.
"Share your positive words.
May they inspire peace on Earth"
-- Peter H. Reynolds
"Share your positive words.
May they inspire peace on Earth"
-- Peter H. Reynolds
January 20, 2026
When Jerome walks the wintry streets, he searches for words of joy. However, he only finds cold, worrisome, and unhappy ones. After gathering his own treasured words, he takes them downtown and finds the perfect tree to decorate. Friends and family contribute to the tree adding their favorites words, stringing together phrases of optimism. The branches explode with words that inspire, encourage, and bring hope. Vibrant and playful illustrations along with a positive message will make this book a unique addition to Christmas collections. Educators and families will be motivated to construct their own tree of positivity for Christmas or any time of the year.
March 25, 2026
Jerome and his rescue dog Ekko are walking the city on the hunt for words. However, when Jerome only finds sad, angry or depressing words, he decides to decorate a tree in the park with his positive word collection and invites his friends and community to participate.
I didn’t really like this picture book. I got what the author was trying to do, but the overall message fell flat for me. I had hoped for more exploration of word choice or diving deep into the joy of language, but the book came off as trite and superficial. I just think there are more ways to create positive change, and share the power of words, than to decorate a bare tree in a park.
I didn’t really like this picture book. I got what the author was trying to do, but the overall message fell flat for me. I had hoped for more exploration of word choice or diving deep into the joy of language, but the book came off as trite and superficial. I just think there are more ways to create positive change, and share the power of words, than to decorate a bare tree in a park.
November 5, 2025
This feels like the Christmas book we all need right now. In the darkest months of the year we always need light, but some years feel darker than others. This picture book, about the main character from the book THE WORD COLLECTOR, is about spreading positive words and thoughts to each other, about spreading joy. I love his empowering line "What if he could find a way to give the world the words it needed?" It is a simple message about the power of words, of just one person, and the contagiousness of optimism and joy.
November 17, 2025
Jerome and his dog Ekko take off on a walk and he’s decided to collect words that he could give to the people he loved. As he walked he saw lots of words – words like Sale, No Loitering, Conflict. No those weren’t words to share. What about words he heard – words like Hurry Up, I’m Lonely. No those weren’t right either. So instead he finds a way to share words that he's loved and collected for years and then he finds a way to share them.
And this book is one more reason to love Peter Reynolds
And this book is one more reason to love Peter Reynolds
October 27, 2025
Jerome the Word Collector is back and trying to gather words of joy from the holiday season. Unfortunately, as he walks around town, he encounters darker words that are not warm and friendly. He decides to create his own welcoming space by placing words from his collection on a tree in the park. He invites everyone to share too. By the end, people have shared all sorts of warm messages and some have changed their attitudes. Lovely illustrations by Reynolds enhance the story.
August 7, 2026
I love this second book that follows The Word Collector, also by Peter Reynolds. In this book, Jerome battles ugly and negative words that seem to be everywhere by pulling out his own word collection and inviting friends and family and community to bring their words of positivity and hope to change the scene of the story.
This is set at the holiday season, but could be used anytime of the year.
This is set at the holiday season, but could be used anytime of the year.
Read
June 9, 2025Jerome, the word collector is back, but now he seems surrounded by negative words, and so, he sets about collecting uplifting words for the community at the holiday. Lovely companion to The Word Collector.
December 19, 2025
Read it. Cute little holiday story about a kid trying to find holiday spirit/words but when he can't, share his own. My favorite bit was when he and his dog Ekko were looking at his saved faves, and Ekko was standing on HYDRANT.
January 27, 2026
5 stars
Jerome the Word Collector hears nothing but negative words so he decides to use some positive words from his collection to decorate a tree to encourage more positivity. Such a hopeful message
Jerome the Word Collector hears nothing but negative words so he decides to use some positive words from his collection to decorate a tree to encourage more positivity. Such a hopeful message
June 7, 2025
@peterhreynolds does it again with a picture book perfect for fans of Charlie Brown’s Christmas. We need more Jeromes in this world. ❄️ 🎄
July 17, 2025
Jerome….I’ve got two words to add to your tree from me to you—“thank you!” 🙂
October 7, 2025
A good companion to the original title. Gorgeous illustrations. Undecided about whether it would be a good fit for a winter activity in the LC.
October 11, 2025
Watch out the message is so heavy it might knock you over the head.
October 14, 2025
I think Mr. Rogers would have loved this book. It certainly struck a chord with me. I really love the development of the idea. Sweet and meaningful without being cheesy or preachy.
October 17, 2025
Lovely follow-up to The Word Collector. Great holiday choice for this year.
October 30, 2025
A feel good holiday picture book. The power of words to uplift and bring people together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews