ALA Booklist (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Old Hannah lives in a wooden cottage deep in the forest. Life is a struggle, especially in winter, but one day she finds a black boot that changes things. She wishes she had the shoe's mate, and there it is. Mittens come the next day, and when she wonders aloud what the boot might provide next feather bed, a fancy house? ey appear. Hannah doesn't feel comfortable with this largess, and so she's relieved when the boot's owner appears: Santa Claus. Santa asks if there's anything he can give her. Hannah wishes for the impossible: someone to talk to. But also boots, and maybe mittens? The next morning, she has both, and a squirmy puppy for company. The story's warm folktale feel is heightened by the Caldecott medalist Pinkney's glowing art, alive with detail and overflowing with ambiance. Hannah's wintry world is wide awake with snow-covered pines and cavorting animals. Inside, there is coziness and satisfaction with one's lot in life. Here is a holiday book that provides something to talk about as well as look at.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gently told and exquisitely illustrated, this holiday jewel centers on Hannah Greyweather, a poor woman who lives in a -ramshackle cabin- and finds a boot in the snow. Her wishes-for the boot-s mate, mittens, and a fancy house-are magically granted. After answering a knock at the door of her sprawling new mansion, Hannah finds a bearded man wearing a red suit and one black boot, whose mate she readily returns. When he asks if there is anything she wants, Hannah-s request for -someone to talk to- (as well as replacement mittens and boots) leads to a resolution that will warm the hearts of readers of all ages. Pinkney-s (The Lion & the Mouse) meticulously detailed art exudes old-world charm and is a splendid match for Wheeler-s (the Dino series) tender tale about taking only what one needs. Ages 4-8. Author-s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator-s agent: Sheldon Fogelman, Sheldon Fogelman Agency. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

K-Gr 3 Hannah is an old woman living simply in her mountain cabin. One day while gathering wood in her stocking feet, she finds a boot. Hannah is delighted and wishes for a second boot and then for warm mittens and finally for a big fancy house. The boots and the mittens suit her well, but the big house doesn't feel as comfortable. When Santa Claus arrivesmissing his bootsHannah gives hers back, and all of the other gifts disappear as well. Santa leaves the old woman with new boots and mittens and a little dog to keep her company. This retelling of the folktale of the "Fisherman's Wife" who greedily wishes for too much has a kinder ending, and Pinkney's paintings are appropriate to the folkloric quality of this entry. VERDICT A worthy holiday reimagining, best enjoyed as an independent read or as a read-aloud in a small group setting.— Virginia Walter, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies