The day before Christmas, everyone in Jose’s neighborhood seems grumpy, including his mother who is homesick for Puerto Rico, but when he and his parents return from the pizzeria where they borrowed an oven to cook their roast, the heavenly aroma reminds those they pass of all they have to celebrate.
Contentment
The Man Who Caught Fish
A stranger with a bamboo pole magically catches fish and hands them out to villagers, saying “One person, one fish,” but the king will not be content until he receives a whole basket of fish.
The Stonecutter
A stonecutter wants to be everything he is not and has to learn the hard way that what he really wants to be is exactly who he is.
The Princess Who Had Almost Everything
Princess Alicia has everything she needs and more. A splendid castle, mountains of desserts, and loving parents who do everything possible to ensure she is happy. But even with all of that, Alicia is bored. Terribly bored. So what will it take to finally make her happy?The Princess Who Had Almost Everything is an enchanting tale that reminds readers of all ages that happiness is not always where you seek it, but instead can be found in the most unlikeliest places.
The Magic Pillow
Based on a famous Chinese folktale, The Magic Pillow tells the story of a poor boy named Ping who is given a magic pillow by a mysterious magician. Ping sees what a lifetime of wealth and power would be like, and discovers that the riches of family and freedom are much more valuable.
Meerkat Mail
Sunny Meerkat lives in the Kalahari desert with his family. Under the hot sun, Sunny and his brothers and sisters work together, play together, eat together, learn together, and sleep together. Sunny needs a break, so he decides to take a trip to visit some relatives. Through a series of postcards–that actually flip open for children to read–Sunny documents his journey for his family. But as he travels from the barnyard through the forest to the city, Sunny realizes there’s no place like home.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 5, Issue 1
Sky Sweeper
Despite criticism for his lack of “accomplishments,” Takiboki finds contentment sweeping flower blossoms and raking the sand and gravel in the monks’ temple garden. Includes a note on the art and beauty of Japanese gardens.