Review by Booklist Review
A friendly-looking prickly pear cactus sits on a bookshelf in a little girl's home. The spiny plant is well loved and given many endearing names by the child, such as "my little cupcake" and "little bonbon." The cactus identifies as a member of the family until the Christmas season arrives, when the family decorates a larger, grander plant in the living room with lights, tinsel, and ornaments. The illustrations reveal a cozy home with a variety of patterns in the furniture and a roaring fire in the fireplace. The cactus remarks to her pal, a pink-elephant teapot, that the bookshelf is filling with books about the holiday, including one called Christmas Wish that has inspired the plant to make a wish of her own. Though, when Christmas arrives, the cactus doesn't get her desired decorations, something magical happens that allows her to feel quite festive and part of the holiday, along with the loving family.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As the holidays approach, a family's beloved potted cactus observes the many changes that take over her domestic environment in the form of "shimmering things. Sparkling things. Twinkling, tinseling, transforming things." But though the botanical being eagerly awaits its own decorations, her youthful owner, portrayed with brown skin and pigtail puffs, seems to forget about her, and Tiny Cactus sadly guesses why: "How could anyone remember a tiny green spiny thing when there was a giant green piney thing sparkling in the living room?" The spiky protagonist makes a holiday wish, which remains ungranted through Christmas Day--until nature delivers a wondrous surprise. Kang uses charcoal, pencil, ink, and digital techniques to create soft digital renderings that emphasize creamy reds and greens, helping this empathetic portrait to blossom. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Tiny Cactus lives on a bookshelf in a happy house full of love. She is adored by a little girl who refers to her as "my little cupcake" and "the sweetest bonbon." Tiny Cactus has never experienced the Christmas season, and her eyes light up as she sees sparkling decorations being pulled out of boxes and a magnificent tree decorated with twinkling tinsel. Holiday music plays throughout the house, and delicious smells emanate from the kitchen. Tiny Cactus desperately wants to be part of it, but the little girl hasn't blown her kisses or called her sweet names lately; it's as if the girl has forgotten about her and is focused on the dazzling Christmas tree instead. Perhaps if she was decorated like it, the little girl would see her as more than a tiny cactus. The importance of friendship is emphasized in this story. Tiny Cactus also learns about hope and believing. Kang's enchanting illustrations are perfect for young children. The limited amount of color and background helps readers focus on the subject. Readers can see Tiny Cactus's excitement as she experiences the holiday for the first time, as well as her evident pain when she feels her friend has forgotten about her. The joy she encounters at the conclusion creates the perfect ending. VERDICT An excellent addition to a holiday collection.--Barbara Spiri
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Christmas trees get all the attention -- why shouldn't cacti get their own tinsel? Ferry inspires empathy for protagonist Tiny Cactus through a mutually adoring relationship between the plant and her young owner. Amid Tiny Cactus's holiday wishes for her own trimmings, the text's simple, vivid descriptors evoke the infectious bustle of holiday traditions: "Shimmering things. Sparkling things. Twinkling, tinseling, transforming things." Kang further personifies the cactus with blushing cheeks and a determined, eager smile. Shown on creamy, off-white pages, the reds and greens of Christmas decor within this family's pink-hued household increase the coziness. Emma A. ShacochisNovember/December 2023 p.13 (c) Copyright 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
Tiny Cactus eagerly anticipates Christmas--and wishes for some holiday decorations of her own. Sitting snugly on a bookshelf, Tiny Cactus is especially treasured by her little girl. When she notices all the Christmas decorations coming out, Tiny Cactus is excited for her turn to be covered in tinsel and sparkles. Christmas Day arrives, but Tiny Cactus still doesn't have any holiday decor. After a pep talk from her friend--an elephant-shaped teapot--and a little holiday magic, she gets some surprising trimmings of her very own. Tiny Cactus has sweetly human characteristics: pink cheeks, expressive eyes, and little legs below her flowerpot. The muted illustrations are dominated by pale grays, various shades of green, and many pops of pink. One particularly stunning image shows the Christmas tree, lights off, still glowing in the moonlight through the nearby window. Little readers will be delighted by the holiday magic and the way that Tiny Cactus ultimately gets her decorations. Evergreen trees are usually the stars of the season, but this unique cactus makes a creative focus for this story. Children will be pleased to learn that the Christmas cactus is a real houseplant; after reading this charming tale, many will be clamoring for one of their own. The little girl and her family are drawn with light brown skin and puffy dark hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
