Catherine Stock

A young girl makes Valentine's Day cards for her parents, grandparents, cat and neighbor in this sweet picture-book from author/illustrator Catherine Stock. Each card has a special crayon drawing on it, from a flower for the girl's mother to a fish for her cat, Muffety. On the card for the little old lady who lives next door, and who looks lonely, the girl draws a rainbow. When the big day itself comes, the girl gets plenty of cards of her own, including one from a 'Secret Valentine...'

One show more of six picture-books in Stock's The Festive Year collection - of the other five, the only one I have read is Thanksgiving Treat - Secret Valentine pairs a simple but heartwarming story with appealing watercolor illustrations. I appreciated the theme of reaching out to the elderly, who might be lonely at holidays, and enjoyed the conclusion of the tale, in which the identity of the 'Secret Valentine' is hinted at, in the illustrations. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for simple and sweet Valentine's Day stories for children. show less

This book could be compared to the first sip of a cup of coffee on an early December morning. I felt very comforted with not only this books very friendly illustrations, but with the compelling and rewarding tale. I appreciate how the book used Gugu, the grandmother, to be the pillar of the community. I felt this book touched me because like many African American homes, including mine, the grandmother is often the backbone of the family, and once she is gone, a family can become lost. This show more book can be appreciated by not only a black child, but any child who has ever had their life touched by a grandmother. show less

A young boy wants to join in his extended family's busy Thanksgiving preparations in this lovely seasonal picture-book from author/illustrator Catherine Stock, but everyone sends him away, convinced that he is too little, and might get hurt. Sitting sadly by himself, the boy is approached by his Grandpa, who tells him that there is something he can do: he can help gather chestnuts...

Although I have read quite a few picture-books illustrated by the talented Stock, Thanksgiving Treat is the show more first I have picked up that is written by her as well. It is one of six books in her The Festive Year collection, which also includes such titles as Halloween Monster and Christmas Time. The story is simple but effective, sensitively capturing the emotional state of the main character. The artwork, done in watercolor and colored pencil, is lovely. I would recommend this one to picture-book readers looking for heartwarming, family-centered Thanksgiving stories, and for my part, intend to track down more titles in this collection of seasonal tales. show less

A young girl and her parents prepare for Christmas in this lovely picture book from author/illustrator Catherine Stock. Selecting and decorating a tree, writing to Santa, baking Christmas cookies, going caroling, and preparing cocoa on Christmas Eve, their holiday is full of fun, and family togetherness, culminating in Christmas Day, with presents in the stocking and under the tree...

Christmas Time is the third book I have read from Stock's six-volume The Festive Year collection, following show more upon Thanksgiving Treat and Secret Valentine. These books pair simple texts with beautiful watercolor artwork, and are intended for younger children, highlighting their experience of these important holidays. This entry in the collection was particularly appealing to me, both from a textual and illustrative standpoint, highlighting activities I recall loving as a girl (many of them still a part of my Christmas), and featuring visuals that capture the beauty of winter days. Recommended to younger picture book audiences looking for Christmas titles. show less