THE TRUE GIFT

There have been Christmas stories about dogs, cats, camels, donkeys, and reindeer. It's about time cows got equal time. Newbery Medalist MacLachlan (for SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL) tells a contemporary story about a brother and sister who react with compassion to a patient white cow who is all alone in their grandparents' meadow. Aya Cash's gentle voice pulls listeners into this engaging tale of the kids' efforts to hook the cow up with a bovine companion after Liam learns from his reading that cows don't enjoy solitary living. Cash's warm storyteller's voice brings the serious Liam and his cynical older sister, Lily, to life as the siblings become convinced that the best present of all isn't something you get, but something you give. M.M.C. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2009]