Socks: A kid's Christmas Lament by JD McPherson Anika Orrock

Christmas morning has dawned and while the family is still asleep, a little boy sneaks downstairs to peek at what is under the tree. He picks up a gift from his mother to his and gives it a shake, and, unable to resist, opens it. But...

This is the worst gift I ever got!
It doesn't beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box!
Why'd they waste the paper on a lousy pair of SOCKS?

Where is the haunted pirate schooner? The pool-size trampoline? The laser sword, the Action Man, the bathtub submarine? Despite having been extra good and kind, even bribing Santa with money stapled to their Christmas letter, it seems socks are all that is under the tree this year!

This is definitely a Christmas story with a difference - both in theme and presentation - a print version of the song of the same name, and includes a QR code that allows the reader to listen as they read. But rather than just the audio of the original, this has visual interest with illustrations that depict the boy's frustrations perfectly, with a variety of techniques used that express his frustration and add depth to the words. Unlike the song though, this takes the story a few steps further and there is a happier ending than a grumpy, ungrateful kid.

https://youtu.be/swukov55ZuY?si=sQ5pi6EjZSKL-4T6

Themes: Christmas.

Barbara Braxton