- a 99-year-old woman has a grand collection of hats
- she helps the church’s fundraising raffle
- discovers the joy of sacrificial giving
- clean language
Type: picture book
Ages: 5-8
Author: Jan Karon
Illustrator: Toni Goffe
I’m torn between thinking this book is simply cute…or infused with too much narcissism. There is a whole lot of focus on how she primps and looks when she goes to church and how the other members adore her appearance. There’s also a weird page where a light is shining from a stained glass Jesus straight onto the lady. Lastly, Karon felt the need to describe the pastor as the “handsome young preacher.” Why all the focus on physical beauty? The only thing “Christian” in this book is that she goes to church and has worn out three Bibles.
On the other hand, there’s a decent message about being sacrificial. She donates her very best hat to the church’s raffle to raise money. When it sells for a high price, she has nothing but joy.
I also dearly love how her daughter (approaching elderly herself–she has grey hair) lives with her and serves her happily.
In the end, I’m landing on the “cute” side. Not nitpicking the strange way the tale is told, I think its overall message is a good one.