THE MAGIC OF A SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS

Spend Christmas in Heartbeat Falls.

“Nestled under smoky hills, with skies crystal and clear,” this small town is beautiful year-round, but it especially comes alive around Christmastime. From the pine-tree farm to the bakery full of gingerbread, the unique charm of the season springs up everywhere. Citizens enjoy the festive lights and skating pond as well as the church with candles in its windows that mirror the glowing stars above. Then there are the individual family traditions of baking cookies or making decorations to adorn the trees. The celebration is capped off with a communal meal and a final proclamation that a small town is measured by the “love shared by its people.” The host of the television show Small Town Christmas on UPtv, Alexander has crafted a companion piece to display her appreciation of Christmas in the country. Her verse is a bit lackluster, though the rhymes and enumerations of classic holiday traditions give the book an old-time, homey feel. Nakata’s appealing watercolor and ink illustrations detail colorful and charming scenes. While attractive, however, the book doesn’t bring anything new to the table; it’s yet another love note to a quaint Middle America Christmas. The pictures depict a racially diverse town. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Cute but cliché.