The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Blurb: The three wise men, or the three kings, are familiar figures in the Christmas tradition. Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park has taken the brief biblical references to the three as the starting point for a new story. In it we meet a boy who is learning his father's trade; a man who gathers resin from certain trees; a merchant in the marketplace; and three strangers in brightly colored robes who are shopping for a gift for a baby. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline with exquisite paintings, this simple, moving tale of ordinary people involved in an extraordinary event brings new resonance to the well-known gift list of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

"My father collects tears. This is what they are called: the pearls of sap that seep out of a tree when the bark is cut. Maybe they are called tears because it seems as if the tree is crying."

What are these tears? What is this tree? How does this relate to the Nativity story? Think about the wise men and the three gifts. Gold - you know what that is but what about frankincense and myrrh?

Frankincense and myrrh are both resins extracted from trees in the Burseraceae family, also known as the torchwood or incense family. Frankincense comes from the dried sap of Boswellia trees, while myrrh comes from the lifeblood of the Commiphora. ... If you held the finished product in your hand, frankincense would look like golden raisins, or fossilized popcorn. It’s a small, dried, and slightly shiny yellow globule. “I liken it to grading diamonds,” Daly says. “It’s about color, it’s about clarity, it’s about shape.” Myrrh, meanwhile, is rougher, brown, perhaps more scatological, though fundamentally similar in size and sheen. Popular Science

This boy and his father are collecting Myrrh. The end notes explain this is usually associated with funerals as an embalming oil. As a child Linda Sue Park wondered about this word - myrrh but she didn't dare ask any questions. I think I had the same reaction - I just assumed this was a mystical substance from ancient times - I had no idea it came from tree sap. If you can find a copy of this book it would be a wonderful addition to your own Christmas collection and it would also be a terrific book to read to a group of students in your school library both in a secular school and a religious school. 

This lyrical tale of few words and magnificent artwork is a keeper for anyone who loves tales of lives in different parts of the world, and for anyone who loves Christmas.  Kids' Book Review

The scenes in this book reminded me of Mirror by Jeannie Baker and this different Christmas story, The Third Gift, reminded me of this one:

I am a huge fan of Linda Sue Park. I treasure my memories of reading A Single Shard; Prairie Lotus; The One thing you'd Save; The Firekeeper's Son; The Kite Fighters; and See Saw Girl.

Bagram Ibatoulline was born in Russia and educated at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute. His first book was Philip Booth's Crossing, named a 2001 Best Book by Publishers Weekly. He is best known for his books with Kate di Camillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Great Joy.  Bagram lives in Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania.

I am a bit late beginning my Christmas blog set. I should have begun on 1st December and today is the 3rd.  Today our small IBBY committee bundled up over fifty precious post card sized art original from our Australian illustrators. Our 2023 IBBY fund raiser has been a huge success. The Third Gift was published in 2011 but I have seen it listed on the site of an online book seller - unfortunately it is listed for more than AUS$40.

A single shard by Linda Sue Park

Why do I love to read children's books?  A single shard is why.  This book left me breathless. It is a wonderful story and it is wonderful storytelling.  Every time you think "oh I know how this will turn out" Linda Sue Park adds another twist taking you in an unexpected direction.  Tree-Ear is such a wise young boy and his relationships are so well drawn in this story of the special pottery fashioned in Korea and of one ten year old boy who longs to learn how to make such wonderful creations.

"Min was just beginning a new pot. Min threw a mass of clay the size of a cabbage onto the centre of the wheel. He picked it up and threw it again, threw it several times.  After one last throw he sat down and stared at the clay for a moment.   Using his foot to spin the base of the wheel, he placed dampened hands on the sluggardly lump, and for the hundredth time Tree-Ear watched the miracle."

While I was in America I thought I might read some Newbery winners.  I stumbled upon this one in a bookshop at Grand Central Station. A single shard won the Newbery medal in 2002.  You can read the whole story plot here and view a moving trailer. Here are some questions for teachers to use.

I was totally absorbed reading this book and I did not want it to end.  If you only read one book recommended by this blog make it A single Shard.

Here is an extract from A single shard :

"Over the past month or so Tree-ear had filled his idle time by moulding clay.  He kept a small ball in his waist pouch and experimented with it whenever he had the chance.  After some time a shape began to form out of the clay; it was almost as it the clay was speaking to him, telling him what it wished to become. A monkey ... Smaller than the palm of Tree-ear's hand, the monkey say with its hands clasped before its round belly, looking content and well-fed."

In a moving exchange Tree-ear gives the little monkey to his one true friend Crane Man before he sets off on a journey to deliver some of Min's unique pottery to the capital.

The scenes near the end of this book will leave you gasping. Here are some different cover designs:

If you enjoy this book (and I am sure you will) you might also look for The firework maker's daughter, and Where the Mountain meets the moon.