The Christmassy Cactus

by Beth Ferry, A. N. Kang (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The days of not associating cacti with Christmas are over. With this adorable picture book about a cactus who just wants to be part of the festiviites, we have yet another reason for the season.

Bestselling author Beth Ferry of Stick and Stone and The Scarecrow is back with an irresistible holiday picture book.

Tiny Cactus loves Christmas!

But she doesn’t love that her little girl seems to be spending more time with the giant sparkly tree in the living room than with her. Maybe if she were decorated like the Christmas tree, her little girl would notice her again.

And so Tiny Cactus makes a wish—to be special, to be noticed, to be a part of the magic of Christmas. With the support of her friend and some Christmas magic, Tiny Cactus learns that wishes can come true if you believe hard enough.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063039643
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/12/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	289,710
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Beth Ferry is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous picture books, including Stick and Stone, The Scarecrow, and The Nice Dream Truck. She lives with her family by the beach in New Jersey, where she finds inspiration in the salty air.

A. N. Kang is a Korean-born designer who started her career designing giftware, jewelry, and greeting cards. Later she also designed holiday installations all over New York City. She debuted as an author and illustrator with her picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Her main source of inspiration is her love of animals. It’s her dream to rescue injured baby wild animals like owls and penguins or any animals that would tolerate her constant hugs and kisses. A. N. Kang can be found online at annakangdesign.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/28/2023

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.)

Publishers Weekly

Little readers will be delighted by the holiday magic …This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens.  — Kirkus Reviews

Kang’s enchanting illustrations are perfect for young children. An excellent addition to a holiday collection. — School Library Journal (starred review)

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. — Publishers Weekly

[A friendly-looking prickly pear cactus] doesn't get her desired decorations, [and] something magical happens that allows her to feel quite festive and part of the holiday, along with the loving family. — Booklist

The text’s simple, vivid descriptors evoke the infectious bustle of holiday traditions. The reds and greens of Christmas decor within this family’s pink-hued household, shown on creamy, off-white pages, increase the coziness. — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2023

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

School Library Journal

2023-08-12
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)

Kirkus Reviews