A modern Gift of the Magi tale of a poor Hmong family celebrating Christmas and the love, sacrifice, and generosity that holds them close.Six days a week, Momma wakes up before dawn to head to the factory. She leaves three simple bowls of rice and egg on the table for her children and always returns home before their bellies start to rumble. Sister knows their family does not have much. She loves walking home and being greeted by the glowing Santa on the corner and the twinkling lights and decorated trees inside homes. She plays with her siblings in the snow and together they dream and wish.
On Christmas Eve, Momma sneaks away with Auntie May, and when it is nearly night, Momma returns home bearing a wonderful surprise. But how can this be?
Momma's Christmas Gift is a touching story about the magnificent gift of a mother's love and how all mothers make magic daily, especially during the holidays.
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American writer. She is the author of the adult memoirs
The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir,
The Song Poet, and
Somewhere in the Unknown World. Yang is also the author of the children’s books
A Map Into the World,
The Shared Room,
The Most Beautiful Thing, and
Yang Warriors. Her work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Chautauqua Prize, the PEN USA literary awards, the Dayton’s Literary Peace Prize, the American Library Association, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, the Heartland Bookseller’s Award, and has garnered four Minnesota Book Awards. Kao Kalia Yang lives in Minnesota with her family, and teaches and speaks across the nation.
Jacqueline Tam is a Hong Kong-American illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. Her illustrations have appeared in newspapers, magazines and in children's books, and have been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, and
3x3 Magazine.
Praise for Momma's Christmas Gift by Kao Kalia Yang; Illustrated by Jacqueline Tam:
★ “A working parent’s steadfast love conjures holiday magic” —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A hardworking mother makes Yuletide magic for her three children.” —
Kirkus Reviews
“A heartwarming choice for holiday picture book collections” —
School Library Journal
“…sensitive illustrations capture the eagerness of the children during the holiday season and the warmth of a loving family appreciating each other and their community.” —
Booklist
