An Invisible Thread Christmas Story: A True Story Based on the #1 New York Times Bestseller (with audio recording)

by Laura Schroff, Alex Tresniowski, Barry Root (Illustrator), Laura Schroff (Read by)

Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of An Invisible Thread comes the true, heartfelt, and extraordinary story of how one woman’s decision to help a boy on the street changed both of their lives forever.

In this sweet picture book, Laura retells the first Christmas that she and Maurice spent together. She shares how Maurice gave her a small white bear—as she later learns, the only thing he had that he could truly call his own—to show her how grateful he was for their friendship.

This heartwarming tale captures the true meaning of the holidays and will be one you’ll want to share with your family year after year as a reminder that a gift from the heart is always the best present under the tree.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481419314
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	09/22/2015
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	731,925
File size:	89 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Laura Schroff is a former advertising sales executive who worked for over thirty years with several major media companies and publications, including Time Inc. and People. Her book, An Invisible Thread, became an instant New York Times bestselling book and later was a #1 New York Times and international bestseller. As a keynote speaker at over 300 events for schools, charity organizations, libraries, and bookstores, Laura encourages her audience to look for their own invisible thread connections and highlights the importance of opening up their eyes and hearts to the opportunities where they can make a difference in the lives of others. She lives in Westchester, New York, with her feisty poodle, Emma.

Alex Tresniowski is a writer and bestselling author who lives and works in New York. He was a writer for both Time and People magazines, handling mostly human-interest stories. He is the author or coauthor of more than twenty books. For more about this story and the author, please visit AlexTres.com.

Barry Root is the illustrator of many books for children, including Gumbrella, which he also wrote; Dream Big; By My Brother’s Side; and Game Day, which received a Christopher Award in the category of books for young people. He lives with his family in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

09/14/2015
Based on Schroff’s bestselling 2011 memoir, An Invisible Thread, also written with Tresniowski, this picture book focuses on a Christmas that Schroff spent with Maurice, a child she met after he asked her for change on the street in New York City. Their initial encounter developed into weekly meals and a friendship that crossed both racial and generational lines. Maurice narrates his holiday activities with Schroff, after she learns his family never had the money to celebrate Christmas. Root’s warm, textural illustrations bring the wintery city to life, but the lack of information surrounding Maurice’s family background (in which drugs had a sizeable presence), while understandable given the target audience, is likely to leave readers with questions. Even so, the importance of generosity grounds the book, further amplified by endnotes from both Schroff and Maurice, as well as suggestions for how readers can integrate kindness into their daily lives. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

2015-08-12
Adapted from the bestselling book of the same title for adults (2011), this abridged version presents the true story of a friendship between an impoverished African-American boy and a young white woman who becomes his mentor. The boy, Maurice, narrates this relatively lengthy story of his budding friendship with Laura, a professional woman working in an unnamed big city. He first meets Laura when he asks her for spare change and she buys him dinner. Maurice explains that he doesn't have enough to eat at home. This leads to regular weekly dinners with Laura, visits to her apartment, and a Christmas visit to Laura's extended family. Maurice enjoys the big family's holiday celebration, and he receives all the presents on his Christmas list. He hopes that someday he will have his own big family like Laura's. In a sentimental conclusion, Maurice gives Laura his white teddy bear, the only Christmas present he had ever previously received. Evocative illustrations in pencil and watercolor bring the holiday celebrations to life with a wide variety of perspectives and illustration sizes. The final pages include two author's notes and one from the real Maurice. This well-meant effort is a touching story of the white-savior variety, but it also raises some provocative social questions without ever answering them satisfactorily. (Picture book. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews