The True Gift: A Christmas Story

All year long Lily and Liam look forward to Christmas on their grandparents' farm. It's always the perfect trip -- walking to the lilac library, trimming the tree, giving gifts. But this year, thanks to a white cow alone in the meadow, things will be different. This Christmas, Lily and Liam will find out the meaning of a true gift. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; From one of our most beloved authors comes a brand-new holiday classic that rings in the season by celebrating the joys of family, community, and true giving.

“Newbery Medalist MacLachlan offers a quietly moving Christmas story that illustrates the power of children to change their world…. Floca's delicate, full-page pencil illustrations complement the text with understated emotion.” < -="" i="" -=""> - Kirkus Reviews - < -="" -="">

“The simple, elegant prose tells a warm family story with a classic holiday theme. Floca’s graphite and ebony pencil drawings are lush with evocative detail and perfectly complement this lovely offering.” < -="" i="" -=""> - School Library Journal - < -="" -="">

“With MacLachlan's well-drawn characters and Floca's simple pencil and graphite drawings, it's a poignant story with a classic feel.” < -="" i="" -=""> - Publishers Weekly - < -="" -="">

Liam and Lily are doing all they can to find a friend for White Cow. With help from the community, they have a Christmas they will never forget.

Patricia MacLachlanandlt;bandgt; andlt;/bandgt;is the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including andlt;iandgt;Sarah, Plain and Tallandlt;/iandgt;, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, andlt;iandgt;Skylarkandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Caleband#8217;s Storyandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Edwardand#8217;s Eyesandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;The True Giftandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Waiting for the Magicandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;White Fur Flyingandlt;/iandgt;; and andlt;iandgt;Fly Awayandlt;/iandgt;. She lives in western Massachusetts.Brian Floca is the author and illustrator of andlt;iandgt;Locomotiveandlt;/iandgt;, winner of the 2013 Caldecott Medal; andlt;iandgt;Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11andlt;/iandgt;, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; andlt;iandgt;Lightshipandlt;/iandgt;, also a Sibert Honor Book; and andlt;iandgt;Racecar Alphabetandlt;/iandgt;, an ALA Notable Childrenand#8217;s Book. He has illustrated Aviand#8217;s Poppy Stories, Kate Messnerand#8217;s Marty McGuire novels, and Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordanand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Springandlt;/iandgt;, a Sibert Honor Book and winner of the Orbis Pictus Award. You can visit him online at BrianFloca.com.

Read the Kids' Q&A with Brian Floca