The True Gift: A Christmas Story
by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Brian Floca
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2009
While on their annual Christmas visit to their grandparent’s farm, Liam connects with this grandparent’s white cow. Liam senses the cow is lonely since his buddy, a burro, returned to his family. Sensitive to the animal’s needs, he decides to find a friend for White Cow for Christmas. He posts “Friend for White Cow for Christmas” posters around town. He learns of a brown calf, but it costs $200. Liam and Lily pool their Christmas money, but are still short. Find out what Liam sacrifices and how he saves the brown calf’s life.
A page-turning story for the holidays by Newbery Award winning author, Patricia MacLachlan.
Quiet hero, animals, 9-12