cover image When I Love You at Christmas

When I Love You at Christmas

David Bedford, illus. by Tamsin Ainslie. EDC/Kane Miller, $9.99 (26p) ISBN 978-1-61067-039-5

In a square-format, paper-over-board book, a girl prepares for Christmas with her stuffed sheep in tow, while unrhymed verse (which turns out to be from the sheep’s perspective) offers simple assurances of love: “When you twist the strings/ When you hang the star/ That’s when I love you.” Ainslie’s sweet illustrations suggest a world in miniature as the girl tries to sleep on Christmas Eve and discovers her presents under the tree, giving one to her sheep. The girl’s affection for her stuffed animal mirrors the evergreen love between a child and guardian. Ages 3–up. (Sept.)