Christmassy Cactus

Beth Ferry lives by the beach in New Jersey where she loves scanning the shore for sea glass. In addition to sea glass, Beth has found countless shells, mermaid purses, and a few sand dollars. She often finds tennis balls and brings them home to the delight of her two bulldogs. Through the years, Beth has also picked up boatloads of trash. She is the author of many picture books including Stick and Stone, The Scarecrow, and The Peddler of Puddles. Sea Glass Girls is her first novel in verse. You can learn more at bethferry.comA. 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.

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