The Christmas Apron

by Rachelle Pace Castor, Dan Burr (Illustrator)

The children in Millie's family can't wait for Grandma to arrive with her special Christmas apron. According to tradition, each grandchild will write down the gift he or she wants most in the world and then slip that wish into the apron's pocket. Then, on Christmas morning,those wished-for gifts will be magically waiting under the tree. But eleven-year-old Millie overhears her parents: the family can't afford gifts for all the little ones. She pictures the disappointment on her siblings faces nothing to open on Christmas morning.
Is Millie willing to sacrifice her own whole-soul wish so someone else's can come true? Full of tender emotion and delightful surprise, this story reminds us of the miracles that unfold when we think of others before ourselves.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Book Club, Picture Books, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mara]

A lovely Christmas story that takes place during war-time shortages, and shows the meaning of Christmas isn't in the receiving of gifts. I really liked the family's Christmas tradition of putting wishes in the pockets of grandma's apron. It's the perfect length to read at bedtime to the little ones, and I loved the beautiful illustrations.

I received a complimentary digital copy, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Adrienne]

I read this picture book with three of my children. My 7-year-old daughter really liked it; my 7-year-old son liked it, and my 4-year-old kind of liked it. They all liked the illustrations and how the story ended; I think the story was just a bit too wordy for the boys. It was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed the message and the illustrations.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley Bunker]

I love stories about this time of year that touch my heart. The Christmas Apron is a great story to share with the family. It teaches about the importance of serving others, and family. Dan Burr's beautiful artwork captures the eye and Rachelle Pace Castor tells this sweet story in such a way that pulls the heartstrings. This book will be a favorite.

#Christmasstories #CovenantCommunications

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa)]

A short Christmas story spanning three generations of Christmas wishes. An inspirational story that reminds me what the spirit of Christmas truly is.

[Julie]

Review to come.

[Leann Arave]

A lovely Christmas story. Giving and doing for others is an opportunity we can all learn and grow from. A sweet short meaningful message to share with your family and friends. The art work is stunning.

[Rachelle]

A heartwarming tale of aprons which "help us do the most important work there is--family work." Increasingly, I see the importance of a soft landing place for kids to feel safe, loved, and a belief that wishes can come true. My sweet friend Camille gave me this book and it is all the more loved because if the service she gives to me and my family.

[Tanya]

This sweet WWII-era Christmas story was a gift to our family from my Grandma, and we read it together on Christmas Eve. The story itself is simple, but it was meaningful enough to make me teary-eyed. It centers on this fictional family's Christmas tradition of putting wishes in the pockets of an heirloom apron, and the experience of the holidays during wartime shortages.

3.5 stars.

[Nicole Smith]

Sweet, fast Christmas story.

Favorite Quotes:
- I could hear what Gramma would say. There’s always time to be kind, Millie. (p8)
- Christmas is what God and Jesus showed us how to do. Giving—sacrificing—a whole-soul gift so that someone else would have peace and joy. (p22)

[Terressa]

We loved this adorable story. It invites a level of love and compassion born from an applicable storyline. My kids loved it so much we had a Christmas stocking this year that worked like the apron in this story. It was so fun! I love that my kids picked up on the importance and significance of putting others wants and needs before your own. Excellent story and wonderful illustrations in the newer hardback version)!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer)]

The Christmas Apron is a very heartfelt story that takes place during the World War II era. Money is short-handed but Christmas wishes are still alive and well. Millie is the oldest child in the family and she realizes the truth of the situation. She overhears her parents talking and knows that sacrifices will need to be made this Christmas. This story does bring out the tears and relays the true meaning of Christmas and that miracles can still happen. The gorgeous illustrations add so much to the beauty of this story. The Christmas Apron is a lovely book to share with your family this Christmas season.

[Pamela]

This review is for the hardcover version with illustrations by Dan Burr released in 2020.

I enjoyed this sweet story about Christmas dreams. While this story is set during World War 2, the message is very appropriate for the times we are currently living in. The illustrations help to set the tone and really enhanced the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmas stories.

I received a complimentary digital version for review purposes. My opinion is my own. I am purchasing the physical book to add to my collection of Christmas stories that I share with my family each year.

[Ariza]

Maybe it's simply because I'm in a different place in my life, but this story did not make me happy. I was gifted this book from my mother in law along with an apron she made around Christmas time who is very religious and this book fall in that same vein of sappy emotional story tellings.
Also, the summary says 7 children; I only remember there being 3 mentioned ever. So, that's weird as well.
It seemed like it took forever to read, maybe it was because I was trying to read it to my 6 month old but it is unnecessarily wordy for a children's book attempting to teach kids to be grateful and have faith and all that. And the illustrations were just okay.

[Rorie]

I just finished reading this story and had to wipe away the tears before I could start writing this review. Happy tears, of course. I didn't think I'd get all choked up over a kid's book, but here I am. I only have a PDF copy of this book, but I plan on purchasing the hard copy, because this is one I would love to keep in my Christmas book collection. Not only is the story touching and beautiful, but the artwork is too. Half of my kids are past the age of reading picture books, but I think I can get another year or two out of my twins, so this book is a must-read for them.

[Shae]

This was a tiny Christmas novella that came in a gift set with an apron. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written, how sweet the message was, how perfect its length was at a busy time of year, and how much it added to my Christmas season. I have the impression there are many books like this around Christmas (judging by other Christmas themed genres and I would like to try another one next year. Recommendations? (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dicken's is the only other one I've read.)

[Jamie Ann Bartlett]

Perfect Read for Christmas

Loved this book and its message. It always amazes me when authors can fit a whole story into a small book. Rachelle drew me into this story with the sweet exchange these sisters made!

[Linda]

Sweet little Christmas story about love and family

[Rebecca Heywood]

Nice Christmas story

[Kim Woodbury]

This was a cute little Christmas story.

[Emily]

Moving story that inspires me to want to be better.

[Ava]

So touching a beautiful Christmas story. And a wonderful tradition to have.

[Allyson]

Grab the Kleenex. So, so good. Read with your kids!!

[Melissa Lefler]

Short and sweet and will make you cry.

[Kaylana]

3.5 ⭐️

[Nicole Shum]

A classic wholesome Christmas story with an emphasis on what’s really important—family, love, and serving others.

[Marilee]

What a delightful book! This was a heartwarming story about two sisters who learn that the true magic of Christmas serving others. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful and made the story come alive. I am excited to add this to my family's Christmas book collection!

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired)]

Millie is an eleven year old girl living during the bleak days of World War II. Money is scarce, but love abounds. All Milllie wants for Christmas is ballet pointe shoes. All her sister wants is a horse. When her grandmother arrives with her magic apron, Millie wonders if her family's wishes really will come true this year.

A beautiful story about families. One that calls to mind The Gift of the Magi. I wear an apron nearly every day, all day. I love that they protect my clothes as I work around my home and care for my family. I absolutely love the sentiments expressed in this lovely little story that, "Aprons help us do the most important work there is--family work. The work that says, 'I love you'." This speaks to my heart!

I love these short, pamphlet-sized Christmas stories. This is one that is easily read in a sitting. I think it would make a fantastic gift and if it was accompanied by an apron, an even better one!

[Joan]

The Christmas Apron is a 27 page booklet. It is a story set during 1942, when war made gathering food and life's necessities hard. It is about the love and dedication to family even during hard times. An apron is brought to the family of 9 by their grandma. It is a tradition to make Christmas wishes and put them in the pocket of the apron so those wishes will come true. There are lots of sweet moments and tears as the story unfolds. It is worth the read and brings the Christmas spirit as you read it.

[Dahlene]

I just read this today and loved it! I read it in about 1 hour. It is a heartwarming Christmas story that has a really good lesson in it. It would be a great book to give for Christmas along with a cute little apron.

[Heidi]

Simple little story about a family's Christmas wishes coming true during the hard times of WWII. Maybe I didn't have the right Christmas spirit, but I didn't quite find it believable and had a hard time figuring out just how many kids there were in the family.