A Gift for Mama - Tapa dura

Starred review, "Publishers Weekly, "December 2, 2013:
"The beauty and rich culture of historic Vienna course through this sweet, circular story from Lodding. . . . Colorful storefronts, elegant carriages, and a stately opera house depicted in Jay's earthy palette and crackle varnish help evoke an earlier century.""
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"School Library Journal, " March 2014:
"The narrative is well written and satisfying to read aloud. Jay's crackle-glazed paintings are as dreamily beautiful as ever, masterfully composed, and full of interesting details. . . . A lovely and successful book about optimism, giving, and love."
"Booklist, " March 2014:
"As an introduction to a special time and place, Lodding's unique offering will prove a treat for sensitive, imaginative readers."
"The New York Times Book Review, "May 2014:
"[Jay] and Lodding create an attractive portrait of Vienna as a picturesque toy town inhabited by art lovers and well-mannered aristocrats, but in the end, the gift Oskar's mother declares she likes best springs directly from nature."

Starred review, Publishers Weekly, December 2, 2013:
"The beauty and rich culture of historic Vienna course through this sweet, circular story from Lodding. . . . Colorful storefronts, elegant carriages, and a stately opera house depicted in Jay's earthy palette and crackle varnish help evoke an earlier century."

School Library Journal, March 2014:
"The narrative is well written and satisfying to read aloud. Jay's crackle-glazed paintings are as dreamily beautiful as ever, masterfully composed, and full of interesting details. . . . A lovely and successful book about optimism, giving, and love."

Booklist, March 2014:
"As an introduction to a special time and place, Lodding's unique offering will prove a treat for sensitive, imaginative readers."

The New York Times Book Review, May 2014:
"[Jay] and Lodding create an attractive portrait of Vienna as a picturesque toy town inhabited by art lovers and well-mannered aristocrats, but in the end, the gift Oskar's mother declares she likes best springs directly from nature."

A perfect gift to share any day of the year is this beautiful picture book about a boy searching for a present for his mom! 

Oskar sets out—with a single coin—to find the perfect gift for his mother. And he spots it at once: a beautiful yellow rose. But when he meets an artist, Oskar trades the rose for a paintbrush. And when he meets a conductor, he trades the paintbrush for a sheet of music. . . .

The bustling streets are full of interesting people and delightful possible presents, and Oskar trades one gift for another, and another, and another! But what he finds by the end of the day is even more precious.

Simple kindness is at the heart of this enchanting, gloriously-illustrated tale.