An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco Children's Book Review

The frigid, snow-covered, outlying farmstead near early 20th century Lansing Michigan is the setting of An Orange for Frankie, a children's Christmas story written by Patricia Polacco based on the experiences of her recent ancestors. This story is teeming with ebullient family energy, kinship, and an atmosphere where giving and charitable acts of service are so ingrained in the family's lifestyle that service is presented merely as part of a cheerful routine.

This story is a little long even for a Christmas picture book, but the author captures the spirit of Christmas in a warm and loving family setting that makes you want to be part of the large, active and cheerful Stowell family as you read about their challenges. Every year on Christmas Eve Frankie's dad leaves the farmhouse to ride in to Lansing, Michigan in a horse-drawn cart to meet the Florida train, packed with sweet, juicy, ripe oranges. These oranges are the focal point of the family's mantelpiece Christmas display, made from evergreen boughs from a freshly-cut Christmas tree, filled with cookies, dried flowers, apples, and nuts.

Meanwhile, the family prepares to serve a large group of hobos who are riding the rails through this cold region of the country. The Stowell family, though otherwise poor, shares their bountiful harvest with the hobos. Steaming cups of coffee and hoecakes are made available to all the hobos.

Frankie, the youngest boy in the clan sees a barely-dressed, ancient looking old man among the hobos, a man in a threadbare coat and no shirt at all. Frankie takes pity on him, and goes up to his room to find a sweater to give the man. He gives his best Christmas sweater to him, the one made by his oldest married sister, because it is the only one that is big enough to fit. Of course, he doesn't tell anyone and he's sure that he'll get in trouble when everyone finds out.

As the day progresses, the snowy weather progresses into a storm of near-blizzard proportions, and the family's joyful anticipation of Christmas and their focus on their preparations for the school play turns to worry about the whereabouts of Frankie's father. But Mother, worried as she is, decides to press forward with the Christmas preparations, and takes the family on an excursion to cut down a Christmas tree.

Telling you too much more of the story would be a huge spoiler, so I will say that at this point in the story, the author has built quite a bit of momentum towards the real "heart" of her tale. Frankie tries to do the right thing but he gets into mischief one last time. The resolution to this story is a heartfelt example of a family coming together as in unity to give generously of themselves. Young children will identify with the predicament that Frankie ultimately finds himself in at the end of the book, and parents will want to share this story because the touching solution to Frankie's final problem is such a wonderful lesson in sharing.

As a parent I felt this story showed a loving, large family (with nine children!) that was excited to celebrate Christmas and to receive the anticipated treat of the oranges, something that my family living in Arizona can hardly fathom as a treat...they are so common here. In fact, in our modern age of easy transportation, oranges are merely a symbol of a quaint, bygone era when people needed far less to feel fulfilled. On a broader scale the story shows a family living generously and joyously in a time of poverty when many people had far less than they needed.

"When are you going to go get spectacles, Ma?" Frankie was only half teasing.

"When pigs fly, son. We sure can't afford spectacles--we haven't finished paying off our winter hog!" she answered.

"If times are that hard fer us, Ma, then we sure can't afford to feed all them hobos every week," Will said.

Mrs. Stowell gave Will a withering look. "We had an abundant harvest. It don't cost us nothin' to share some of it with folks that could use it"

This story, because it is based on a family history, is rooted in family memory, and is devoid of fantastic elements like fairy dust and magic. But that doesn't mean the story is missing Christmas magic. There's plenty of Christmas magic, and you and your family may just finish the book feeling a little more grateful for the simple things.

This book is also shares an example of a family having an old-fashioned Christmas. If you are interested in simplifying your Christmas celebration at home and would like to point to a non-commercial example of a family celebrating Christmas, this book is for you.

My husband comes from a large, extended family and we often gather on Christmas Eve to share our talents and spend time together. This book is an excellent selection for such gatherings, and may just become a touchstone for an older relative who has their own stories to share about your family!

• The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry. This famous short story has been made into a beautifully illustrated picture book. This classic Christmas tale about a young couple's sacrifice of their most prized possessions so that they can buy the perfect Christmas gift for each other ends in an ironic twist. If you have never read this story, you need to!
• The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck. Recently published by famous author and radio personality Glenn Beck, this story tells about a boy, his wish to receive a bike for Christmas, and the dissapointment he feels when his wise grandfather tells him he will only receive a Christmas sweater, one made for him by his mother. This story shares elements with An Orange for Frankie, but differs in its message. This story is about appreciating the gifts we receive and understanding that time with family is far important than things.
• The Gift of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall is another story about giving with a historical setting during the Great Depression. This Christian Children's story also ties the common family tradition of baking Christmas cookies and sharing them with neighbors with the story of the Nativity. Please click on the title to read my full review of this story.
• King of Kings is a realistic fictional story by popular British novelist, Susan Hill. As far as I can tell, this is her only foray into children's picture books, but it is one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories. The setting is an industrial English port city, and the protagonist is an aging widower, who rescues an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. It is not directly religious, but it is a beautiful and touching story for Christmas which undboubtedly alludes to the nativity. Please read my full review of this book by clicking on the link.

I have written over 40 reviews of my favorite children's books here on HubPages. Please feel to explore some of my favorite children's books listed here!

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett · A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams · Babies by Gyo Fujikawa · Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See by Bill Martin and Eric Carle · Charley Harper's ABCs by Charlie Harper · Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons · Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes · Daughter of a King by Rachel Ann Nunes · Excuse Me! By Lisa Kopelke · Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat · Harry and The Terrible Whatzit by Dick Gackenbach · Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson · I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll · I'd Choose You by John Trent · Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback · King of Kings by Susan Hill · Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis and David Soman · Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes · Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney · Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney · Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle · No David! by David Shannon · Olivia by Ian Falconer · Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier · Snowballs by Lois Ehlert · So Much by Trish Cooke and Helen Oxenbury · Souperchicken by Mary Jane and Herm Auch · The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone · The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle · The King With Six Friends by Jay Williams · The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman · The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges · The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell · The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy · The Red Shoes a Fairy Tale by Gloria Fowler and Sun Young Yoo · The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats · Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel · Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White · Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak · Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvits