Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever (I Can Read!)

Katherine Paterson is one of the world's most renowned children's book authors. Ms. Paterson has received the National Book Award twice and has won the Newbery Medal for both Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved. She is also the author of two other I Can Read Books featuring Marvin, The Smallest Cow in the World and Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever. Ms. Paterson lives in Barre, Vermont.

Although his sister, May, always makes the best presents, Marvin is determined to create a Christmas gift his family will never forget. Noticing the pretty wreath his neighbors place on their door, Marvin decides that it would be an ideal way to dress up the blank side of their trailer. His mother and father are duly impressed, but when the snow has melted away into spring, and the wreath begins to turn brown, the family breaks the news to Marvin that it's finally time to remove the wreath. They discover, though, that a new family needs it--a family of birds--so it looks like the wreath is there to stay. With tender simplicity, Paterson (Jip, His Story, 1996, etc.) spins a story of generosity, teamwork, and a young boy's ingenuity. Brown's soft, colored-pencil illustrations flow with the change of season and perfectly match the story's gentle charm. (Fiction. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.