The Christmas Sweater

A pup’s unloved Christmas gift saves the day in Brett’s homespun tale. After the child narrator’s pug, Ari, expresses disinterest in the elaborately bedazzled dog-size garment the child’s Yiayia knits for her, the youth overcompensates, exclaiming, “I’ll snowshoe to Echo Lake right now, and Ari can come, too, staying cozy in her new Christmas sweater.” But while the pair’s outing starts off with a cheery vibe, the pale-skinned protagonist grows concerned upon discovering the sweater has been lost amid the heavy snowfall that’s also dangerously “obliterating our tracks.” Fortunately, Ari comes to the rescue with the discovery of a snow-buried gold angel that remains attached to the sweater’s unraveled strands, which lead the two safely home. Winding red yarn frames the creator’s signature-style realistic paintings, while side vignettes draw attention to activity happening on the margins of scenes, particularly zeroing in on some magpies who play a key role in creating a closing bit of Christmas magic. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)