Roland was not happy with his Christmas present. He wanted something bigger. He wished for something bigger and bigger, but what came was never big enough. Roland set off into the universe to find the big present he was looking for. When he looked back, he could see earth getting smaller and turning into a speck. When he returned, he realized that the smallest speck was his biggest gift. Home. I really like this story because it shows kids to be grateful. The colorful illustrations help show that bigger is not always better. ( )

When Roland sees the tiny gift waiting for him under the tree on Christmas morning, he is decidedly unimpressed. Wishing and wishing for something bigger, he finds that his present does indeed grow and grow, until finally he finds a rocket and jets into space, looking for bigger and bigger things. It is only when Earth is reduced to a tiny speck, disappearing in the vastness of space, that Roland reconsiders, realizing that sometimes tiny things can be precious indeed...

The author and illustrator of the "Creatrilogy" - a series of picture-books (The Dot, Ish and Sky Color) meant to encourage creativity in young children - Peter H. Reynolds turns his attention to the holiday season in The Smallest Gift of Christmas, and to the importance of family and home at this time. I appreciated the story idea here, and the fact that Roland discovered his mistake in assuming that bigger was better, but I think that perhaps this story type just isn't for me, when it comes to the Christmas fare I prefer. I found myself feeling rather impatient with Roland's attitude, even though I acknowledge that it isn't that uncommon for people, whether adults or children, to get too focused on the gift-receiving aspect of the holiday, to the detriment of more important matters. I had a similar feeling about another holiday picture-book I read recently, A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas, which also featured a child with an unhealthy fixation on gifts. I realize that such situations do arise, but somehow the focus on gift obsession is unappealing to me in a Christmas book, especially if that obsession isn't challenged until the very end of the story. Although not really my cup of tea, I do recommend that Reynolds fans check it out, if they are in the market for Christmas books. ( )

On Christmas morning, Roland wishes for a big gift. What he finds is the littlest gift ever. Is this all? It just can't be, so he wishes again and again. The gifts become bigger and bigger. Still Roland wants something even bigger. As he searches the universe for something bigger, he realizes that maybe he already has what he really wants. Sometimes the biggest gifts really do come in the smallest packages.

The Bottom Line: This holiday tale reminds us that happiness can be found in your heart rather than in material things. Sometimes even though we don't get what we wish for, we find something better. Highly recommended for story time reading for kids in grades Pre-K – 1. The author's digitally created illustrations are simple, yet colorful and comical.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

Roland realizes that when it comes to gifts, size does not matter. Whimsical and wise. ( )