The Worst Christmas Ever

Matthew is not pleased when his family moves to California. “Jabberwocky,” he huffs, taking comfort in his dog Jasper’s “groggy, doggy snore.” Lengthy text blocks narrate the child’s trials: everything is unfamiliar at his new church, and at school Matthew keeps his eye on the clock all day. Worse, the different seasons mean no autumn colors in October and no hope for snow in December. “It’ll take a miracle to make it feel like Christmas,” he mopes. His little sister begins searching for that miracle (notably, under the bed), and Matthew’s spirit is further tested when Jasper—the child’s only real sense of home—runs away just before the holidays. The ending ties the book to the story of Christ’s birth. Porfiro’s illustrations, full of festive, if overly cheerful, family interactions, resemble animation stills. A middling story of peace restored at Christmastime. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)