REDHEADED ROBBIE’S CHRISTMAS STORY

Redheaded Robbie is a shy but well-liked second-grader who gets so tongue-tied in front of the class that he speaks in nonsense phrases, reproduced in the text in a loopy cursive type font. When Robbie is chosen at random to give a speech in front of the entire school, he asks his three friends for help with his preparations, but instead of receiving help, he ends up offering solid advice to each friend about the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. During Robbie’s nightmare speech, when he can only stammer out gibberish, his three friends come up to the stage and tell how Robbie (“a little angel with red hair”) helped each of them. Melanson’s retro-inspired illustrations use varied perspectives; unusual shades of burgundy, gray, and gold; and funny, round-headed kids that complement the droll humor of the story. Too much lesson, perhaps, but a “flurry Flickmas to all” anyway. (Picture book. 4-7)