The List.

Britta Santowski is a freelance writer in Victoria, B.C.

When a royal child is born in the kingdom of Thibodeau, the queen of Iddison sets out to “bring the child splendid gifts from our own land, and along the way, we shall gather all the marvels of our travels as well.” And thus she begins her list. On the day of departure, there are eight elephants pulling eight great big wagons. Two are loaded with gifts from the castle; six are empty and are to be filled with gifts gathered along the way.

Cassidy, the royal daughter who has just learned to spell and writes some letters backwards, also makes a list.

“The queen looked at her list and nodded. Cassidy looked at her list and nodded too, though she rode on her pony with only her teddy bear and one small bundle containing a change of clothes and a toothbrush.”

They travel through their own kingdom, over the great mountains, over the desert, and through the jungle until they finally arrive at the kingdom of Thibodeau. There they elaborately present the newborn with their lavish gift. But it is the gift from the royal daughter Cassidy that receives the greatest reward. And the queen mother is equally pleased.

This delightful story pleasantly articulates the difference between token and meaningful gift giving, a lesson we all need to remember every now and then. The illustrations are bright and colourful, busy and rich. The images enrich the words on the page, and they come together to tell a simple and important tale. Highly recommended.