Overview

""A heartwarming holiday tale that proves even the littlest things can make a big difference."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""The fine message about holiday spirit makes for a perfect read for parents seeking stories that encourage kids to feel empowered to begin changes that cross age and economic barriers. The Weed That Woke Christmas is a lovely, positive, much-needed story for modern times."" -- D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Winner of the Independent Publisher's Awards Silver Medal and Story Monster Approved Award for Making a Difference. A heartwarming Christmas story with a year-round message. Based on the captivating true story of a girl who stirred hearts with one tiny gesture that grew into a phenomenon known as The Toledo Christmas Weed. In a bustling city, through the seasons, Weed sits unseen, wishing, hoping, and dreaming that it will be noticed until one day . . . a little girl stops. She removes the plastic bag tangled in Weed's branches and wraps Weed in shiny garlands and sparkling tinsel. And for the first time, zooming cars and zipping people noticed Weed. A man hangs flashing lights. A boy spreads a tree skirt. And a woman places a star upon Weed's head. Every day, Weed sees change all around. Some people, who have plenty, leave gifts. And other people, who don't have quite enough, take what they need. Apathy and oblivion make way for awareness, unity, community, kindness, and hope. Weed's branches bob with delight. But not because people have finally noticed it. Instead, people notice each other! Goodness and love wash over the city. And Weed's heart soars. In the end, though Weed is gone, it has left more gifts. Spring chases away winter. Weed's seeds tumble on balmy breezes and snuggle in cracks. Rains shower. Sunshine warms. Goodness and love sprout all through the city and beyond! Alayne Kay Christian and Polina Gortman's wish is that with this book unity will sprout around the world, growing goodness and love. Not only at Christmastime, but every day throughout the year. ""This sweet story is accompanied by lush illustrations by Gortman, who portrays Toledo's citizens as diverse. The author manages to convey the importance of charity and community without making the tale mawkish or trite. She closes the text with the real story of the Christmas Weed and the hope that the holiday magic will continue."" -- Kirkus Reviews

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Alayne Kay Christian is a former acquisitions editor and an award-winning children's book author. Alayne's fourth picture book Turkey on the Run! will be available from Flamingo Books in the fall of 2026. Her other published works include picture books, An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza and Honorary Pengin and Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa. Born in the Rockies, raised in Chicago, and now a true-blue Texan, Alayne's writing shares her creative spirit, a bit of her funny bone at times, and the kinship to nature and humanity that reside within her heart. You can read more about Alayne atalaynekaychristianauthor.com. Polina Gortman is a children's book illustrator living and working just outside of Seattle, Washington. She was raised on the banks of the Yenisey river in Siberia by her grandmother where she spent her childhood exploring taiga, feeding burdock leaves to cows, and making up stories about precarious adventures of toys lost in a vegetable garden. Now Polina balances her days between playing with art supplies in her studio, sketching outdoors and devouring books. To learn more about Polina, visitgortmanillustration.com.

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