Another Christmas

by Susan L. Roth

Dad decides that the first Christmas without Grandpa would be a good time to take the family to Puerto Rico, where the island culture offers a warm, friendly alternative to the usual celebrations

Genres: Picture Books

1 pages, Hardcover

First published November 25, 2012

About the author

Susan L. Roth creates unique mixed-media collage illustrations that have appeared in numerous award-winning children’s books, many of which she also wrote. Her book, Listen to the Wind, spent a year on the New York Times best seller list. The Mangrove Tree, which was released in 2011 and addressed Dr. Gordon Sato's mangrove tree-planting project, was the winner of Jane Addams Children's Book Award. Roth lives in New York.

Reviews

[Saidey Fahey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye instantly with the word Christmas. I really enjoy Christmas time, spending time with my family, and watching everyone be together completely. This story really hit home with me because I am a firm believer that Christmas is not about gifts and Santa (although that is a very nice plus). Christmas is about being together and spending true-time with your family and friends. I love to teach my nieces and nephews that Christmas should be first and foremost a time to spend with your family. For me, Christmas has always looked the same. As Ben, the child, described in the book, Christmas was white snowy hills, snowmen, and warm cozy nights. The illustrations used were great in the beginning but when the book transitioned to being in Puerto Rico, I think the illustrator needed to brighten the illustrations to fit the location they were in.

[Yaritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sad book since Ben lost his grandfather and this was the first holiday without him. His parents decided that Christmas can be different and still be Christmas. They decide to travel to a warmer place and decided on Puerto Rico. I was very happy about the location, since I was born in Puerto Rico but unfortunately, I haven't been there during the Christmas season. Ben's grandmother brought Christmas with them. She took with her the tree decorations, tree angel even gingerbread cookies my favorite and made the room as cold as possible to make it feel like they were home. They ended dancing to traditional Puerto Rican Christmas music and were able to enjoy themselves even though his grandfather wasn't there to celebrate with them.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet and gentle story about grief. Ben has a lot of Christmas traditions that are wrapped up with his Grandpa, but when Grandpa dies Christmas is confusing. Do they do everything exactly the same? Do they go to Puerto Rico? Turns out it’s a little bit of both. Grandma bring some Christmas in her suitcase, but they also find plenty of Christmas in Puerto Rico.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Celebrating Christmas another way after the loss of grandpa