Join Big and Small as they discover that the best part of Christmas isn’t the gifts or the glitter, the sharing or the caring--it’s everything all at once! Featuring gender-neutral pronouns throughout, this sweet story for children ages 3-7 is a celebration of all the ways we show our love to the important people in our lives during the holiday season.This sweet story, which features gender-neutral pronouns, follows the friendship between a bear (Big) and a child (Small) at Christmas. The two best friends love to celebrate all the fun things that come with the holidays--decorating the tree, listening to Christmas carols, making snow angels, and visiting friends. And together, they discover that the best part of Christmas is doing all these magical things together!
On sale: September 1, 2026
Age: 3-7 years
Grade: Preschool - 2
Page count: 40 Pages
ISBN: 9781664301009
Stella J. Jones lives in Yorkshire, England. She loves baked beans and chocolate (but not together) and building ramshackle bookcases for her much-too-big collection of picture books. On sunny days, you can find her practicing yoga al fresco and on rainy days, curled up on the sofa with her two guinea pigs, Pinky and Perky.
Jane Massey studied graphic design at Kingston University. She worked for several design agencies in London and Hong Kong before concentrating on illustration. As well as producing numerous children’s books, Jane has also created illustrations for advertising, greeting cards, and packaging. Jane lives by the sea in Hove, England, with her young family.
The pair from
Love Is in the Little Things (2023) make memories as they celebrate the winter holiday season. Jones and Massey’s rhyming picture book touches on typical rituals and hallmarks of Christmas as a pale-skinned tot and a large but cuddly-looking bear (apparently the little one’s caregiver), both clad in Santa hats, make cookies, write cards, pick a tree, play in the snow, and sing carols before leaving treats for Santa and prepping for bed. The text, expressing the titular sentiment, pays tribute to those little things: Christmas “is in each decoration / that you’ve made with love for me. / Each and every single year, / they brighten up our tree.” Massey’s lovely images provide specificity to Jones’ more general text, with sweet details like woodland animals joining in on caroling and the pale-skinned child using a wooden spoon like a microphone while baking. Set against mostly white backdrops, the minimalist illustrations have a soft palette, giving the visuals a warm glow even amid the snow. Though the book tackles familiar territory—love, togetherness, and memory making at Christmas—it’s one youngsters will readily appreciate. Adults, too, will find it a gentle portrayal of comforting holiday feelings as they look to develop their own families’ cherished traditions. Joyful and tender Yuletide sentiments.--
Kirkus Reviews
