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Cover of Christmas Tapestry

Christmas Tapestry

by Patricia Polacco

Book Details

Publisher:Penguin
Published:2008-09-11
Pages:49
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

Age Range:6-10

About This Book

When a leak ruins the sacristy wall in his father’s church, Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thinks Christmas Eve service will be ruined. Luckily he and his father find a beautiful tapestry, perfect for covering the damaged wall and giving the church a festive look! But then, an old Jewish woman recognizes the beautiful cloth. Her discovery leads to a real miracle on Christmas Eve.

Our Review

This heartwarming holiday story offers young readers a meaningful exploration of interfaith connections and unexpected miracles. When Jonathan helps his father find a tapestry to cover a damaged church wall, the beautiful cloth becomes the centerpiece of their Christmas Eve preparations, only to reveal deeper connections when an elderly Jewish woman recognizes its significance. Patricia Polacco's signature storytelling weaves together Christian and Jewish traditions in a way that feels both magical and authentic, creating a bridge between cultures during the holiday season. The narrative gently introduces children to themes of shared history and the surprising ways our lives intersect.

What makes this Christmas story particularly valuable is how it transforms a simple church decoration into a vehicle for understanding and reconciliation. The emotional reunion between characters separated by time and circumstance demonstrates how objects can carry powerful memories across generations. Families seeking holiday books that celebrate both Christian traditions and interfaith harmony will find this a touching read-aloud experience. The resolution leaves readers with a sense of wonder about the invisible threads that connect us all, making it a story that resonates long after the Christmas decorations are put away.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction