The Secret Gift
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
It was Christmas Break and Steven sat staring at the tree with two little presents under it. He hoped that there were more hidden away. All the kids at school had been talking about what they wanted for Christmas. He knew His Grandmother didn’t have a lot of money. She told Him that all the time. He still hoped that He would get at least one nice gift so when He went back to school He wouldn’t be embarrassed. He was already in a new home and a new school and no one really liked Him.
Steven kept hoping that there were other presents hidden away just to keep him from shaking them to try to find out what was inside. When it was finally time to open presents he sat expectantly waiting for a big surprise that never came. His Grandmother placed the two little packages in his lap and he reluctantly opened them fighting back tears. It was a package of paper and a box of crayons. How could this be! He simply couldn’t believe that this was it. There were no other gifts. He couldn’t just sit there. He ran to his room and jumped on his bed burying his face in the pillow. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to scream or cry. He had been through so much since his parent’s accident and now he had crayons for Christmas. His friends would get games, remote control cars and footballs. As he laid their feeling sorry for himself it occurred to him that his Grandmother got nothing for Christmas. He began to feel bad she tried her best. He decided to draw her a picture for Christmas. She loved flowers so he drew her some flowers. Just as he was finishing she knocked on the door. Suddenly the flowers were real falling leaves and all. She was so happy when she saw them that she didn’t even ask where they came from. He sat on his bed stunned and smiling.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
At Christmas time, Steven—who is already dealing with a new home and school—sees only two presents for him under his grandmother’s Christmas tree. When he finally opens the gifts on Christmas morning, he is disappointed. Inside the boxes are only paper and a box of crayons. Unhappy, Steven runs to his bedroom. Even so, he feels bad for his grandmother and decides to draw her a picture for Christmas. But when the picture comes alive before his eyes, Steven can hardly believe his luck.
Now he can use the crayons to draw and transport himself into any adventure he can imagine! Steven first draws food, and then toys, and finally a land made of candy. As Steven creates one adventure after the other, he rides in a hot air balloon, becomes king of a village, and hikes in a jungle. Whenever he puts his crayons away, he returns back to his bed—safe and sound. But one night when Steven arrives home after yet another adventure, he sees a strange, orange light under his door. What could it be?
In this children’s tale, a little boy learns that people are more valuable than things when he uses his simple Christmas gifts for good.
About the Author
Ann Marie Grace has been a member of the East Texas Writers Guild and has won a Golden Poet Award; she also holds an MA in psychology and a BA in business. She has two adult children and three grandchildren and currently lives in Texas, where she is writing a series of books for children with learning disabilities.