Review by Booklist Review
While Posey hopes that Santa will bring her a magic wand for Christmas, she is afraid that he won't, since he surely knows she hasn't been entirely good lately. Tension builds until Christmas Eve, when she spills a guilty secret to Mom and Gramps. Their loving reassurances bring her comfort and joy. A subplot in which Posey reaches out to a neighbor helps to balance the escalating tension in the main story, which revolves around a believable, childlike dilemma. Illustrations, not available prepublication, will appear throughout this tender and ultimately happy volume in the Princess Posey series of early chapter books.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-First-grader Posey is excited about the approaching holiday. She is convinced that Santa will bring her a real magic wand to make things right for the people she loves, but she worries about the tiny bit of naughtiness that she has concealed from her mother. The wise adults in her life-Mother and Gramps-help her see that she can work her own kind of magic through acts of kindness. This is an easy-to-read early chapter book that will appeal to girls, whether they already know Posey or not. Boys, not so much.-Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In her latest easy-to-read adventure, first grader Posey worries that Santa wont come to her house this year: she has failed to tell her mom the whole truth about an incident involving her baby brother and the Christmas tree. A full confession (as always, made easier by donning her empowering pink tutu) eases her guilt. Meanwhile, she helps Gramps become a more confident dancer and draws a special picture for a neighbor. A warm family story told in ten brief, generously leaded chapters, with a likable, kindhearted protagonist. Art not seen. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
All Posey wants from Santa is a real magic wand. Posey and her classmates are excited about the upcoming winter holidays, and Posey sure is ready. She has written her letter and knows that Santa will understand that she needs a wand that can really perform magic. But when Posey accidentally hurts her toddler brother, she does not tell her mother the truth and is haunted by the fact that Santa will know that she was bad, for goodness' sake! Posey is a delightfully imperfect little first-grader, and others will empathize with her plight. A subplot about Gramps and his new love interest, neighbor Mrs. Romero, adds much to the story, making it more than just a story about a little girl. When Mrs. Romero shares a childhood picture of Barbara, her little girl who died years ago, the twist is revealed with calm, believable emotion. And later, when Posey creates a gift picturing Barbara with angel wings, it is a powerful moment that is free of any emotional manipulation. Telling this story with simple vocabulary, in oversized font and 10 very short chapters, Greene makes this rich tale accessible to the earliest readers. Showing no signs of flagging in this seventh series entry, she continues to develop winning characters in realistic situations. No wand needed--pure magic for emerging readers. (Fiction. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
