Grace at Christmas by Mary Hoffman

Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2011. ISBN 9781847801470
(Ages 4+) Highly recommended. Gently told by Mary Hoffman, and beautifully illustrated in watercolour by Cornelius van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, Grace at Christmas will delight all young children.
It is the story of Grace, a young girl who loves Christmas Day even better than her own birthday. She loves going to Church on Christmas Day with her Ma and Nana, and loves acting out the Christmas story. She just loves everything about Christmas Day.
When she discovers she is to share her favourite day with strangers, she is upset, and grumbles to her friends at school. She even phones her daddy, who lives in Africa, and hopes he will understand her dilemma. When he tells her she must make her guests welcome, Grace cannot help wishing it was her daddy who would be sharing Christmas with her.
However, after Savannah arrives, and Grace discovers that Savannah is lonely, the two become friends, and together they perform the nativity story for the grown-ups.
This lovely book will make an excellent school library or class resource. It tells the Christmas story, but equally it highlights the importance of friendship, and introduces the topic of separation with sensitivity.
Mary Hoffman is a prolific children's author, having written over 90 books ranging from picture books to novels. I recommend it most highly.
Colleen Tuovinen