The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack

The varied hues used throughout the illustrations make them very appealing to the eye. I am continuing to learn how greatly the illustrations impact a work of children’s literature. She misses playing with her sisters so she invites them to have tea with her and Baby Betty, which makes for a great ending to the best Christmas ever. Her sisters talk to her, clap with her, and sing with her, but Baby Betty does not of this with her. Nella ends up getting to keep it as her own, but as she plays with Baby Betty, she realizes that the doll is not as much fun as her sisters. A new Baby Betty doll is in the package and the girls each want the doll to be their own. The last gift is presented to the girls by their father. On Christmas morning, the three young girls receive the most Christmas they had ever been given. Christmas Eve is spent with the family being together and singing Christmas carols. She writes a letter to “Santy Claus” asking for the doll. Nella, the middle child, desperately wants a Baby Betty doll for Christmas.

They do have a lot when it comes to family and love. The story is about a family living during the Depression who do not have a lot economically. In this selection, he used pencil and watercolor and a variety of hues.

Just in doing this reading journal, I have encountered three books illustrated by Pinkney and each had illustrations that were absolutely captivating and enhanced each story. I never realized how many books Jerry Pinkney has illustrated.

The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack