The artist/author's childhood memories of Russian Orthodox Christmas celebrations yield homey details of foods, decorations, activities and specific family members, showing how annual observances sustain cultural and personal ties. Mixed media illustrations capture the warmth of a particular tradition and of one extended family. (Ages 5-9)

Christmastime is special at Uncle Vova's house. Laughing and singing, he dances, takes the children on a sleigh ride, and gathers them to trim the tree that he and Svetlana planted when they first came to America. But when Vova is gone, to the surprise of everyone, the miracle of his tree'and the memories? only grow.