With honesty and rare grace, award-winning author Francisco Jiménez shares his most poignant Christmas memory in this remarkable book. Illustrated with paintings full of strength and warmth, written in spare bilingual text, this simple story celebrates the true spirit of Christmas, and illuminates how children do indeed draw strength from the bonds of their families.
About the Author
Francisco Jiménez
Francisco Jiménez emigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master's degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now the chairman of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University, the setting of much of his newest novel, Reaching Out. He is the Pura Belpre Honor winning author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, and La Mariposa. He is also the recipient of the John Steinbeck Award. He lives with his family in Santa Clara, California.
Excerpts
"Most of us have a favorite Christmas story to tell. The Christmas Gift is a true story, based on an experience I had as a child many years ago. It took place in a farm labor tent camp . . ."
Text Copyright © 2000 by Francisco Jimenez Illustrations Copyright © 2000 by Claire B. Cotts
Reviews
“The family’s odyssey is heartrending, but it is the truth, and it’s skillfully told by someone who’s been there.” --Rudolfo Anaya, author of BLESS ME, ULTIMA
"Told both in English and in Spanish, this bittersweet tale is base on an incident from Jiménez’s childhood in a family of migrant farm workers." —Publishers Weekly, starred review 9/25/00 Publishers Weekly, Starred
"A touching holiday offering, with an emphasis on family love and sharing." —School Library Journal School Library Journal