Review Detail

What a lovely addition to our library! This vibrantly illustrated book follows a little boy named Oskar around 18th-century Vienna as he searches for the perfect gift for his mother on her birthday. He meets various famous characters as he makes trade after trade in order to arrive at the end of the day with what seems to be the perfect gift. But an act of kindness makes his gift, and his day, that much more special.

I thoroughly enjoy reading this tender book to my little girls. The pictures are enchanting and done in a style evocative of the time period. The story itself is simple and yet so vivid and touching, teaching the reward that can be found when one has a giving heart. Oskar's love for his mama helps him extend kindness to another child in the same predicament as he. I feel confident as I read it that my children are again and again learning how to be gracious, kind, and open-hearted. This is such a sweet book you will want to read many times over.