A delightful book covering the events of a move, losing something you love and finding it again. The illustrations are delightful. My favorite picture is Jasper sitting on the couch as the movers load it in the moving van. I believe children will enjoy this book as much as I did.

"The Worst Christmas Ever" is a wonderfully engaging read about a boy who moved to California with his family. Can Christmas ever be complete without snow? Can anything feel right when you are homesick? Bostrom tells a wonderful story of challenges brought by change, family tradition, and Christmas spirit. This books is a wonderful new addition to the classroom Christmas book library.

The illustrations were beautiful but that's the best thing I can say for this book. I'm usually such a fan of children's fiction but this one was trying to introduce to many big concepts all at once. It could have been simply about a lost pet and the Christmas miracle that found him.

I am sorry that I wil not be able to review this book as I cannot read this type of file. I am sure I would have liked the book. The cover is colorful and inviting. Good luck with the book. Rating is based on the book's cover and description.

The Worst Christmas Ever by Kathleen Long Bostrum is a wonderful read aloud for Christmas. The story is beautifully illustrated and feels like a boy friendly story. Matthew is unhappy about moving, unhappy about where they moved to, and unhappy with the holiday spirit - a pink Christmas tree? Really? Matthew struggles about his new home is something many children can relate to. Then Matthew’s dog, Jasper disappears. Matthew is distraught, but on Christmas Eve he realizes the true miracle of Christmas isn’t about where you live, but the love of his family and his dog.

The Worst Christmas Ever by Kathleen Long Bostrum is a wonderful children’s book that reminds us about what the miracle of Christmas is really about. The story is certainly one that will be read yearly in many families and cherished.

I loved everything about The Worst Christmas Ever! The pictures are so bright and expressive. They perfectly complement the story of a boy upset by the family's move to California. My young granddaughters will love this book, and I've already ordered them a copy!

Matthew didn't know it, but all he needed was one Christmas Miracle. Matthew and his family have recently moved to California and Matthew is not happy. He misses his home, the seasons, his christmas tree farm and his church. Nothing is the same and Christmas is ultimately to be ruined. However, something happens and Matthew realizes that he does have a place in this world. That his family is his home.
#Netgalley

With appealing artwork and an accessible narrative, Kathleen Long Bostrom delivers a book that will most certainly be read by many families this Christmas season. Love the cover and the depiction of a Christian family celebrating Christmas together in a new state.

Such a sweet story of how difficult it can be to make big changes and adapt to new places. Sometimes all it takes to make things better is one small miracle...and that's exactly what Matthew needs when his beloved dog, Jasper, goes missing right before Christmas.

This is a very sweet book about a boy who moves to California and is very sad about leaving the life he had. He is not looking forward to Christmas because it won't be the same without snow. To make matters worse, his dog runs away and they can't find him. Mark needs a miracle. Fantastic illustrations.

A perfect read-aloud for the holidays in a world no longer steeped in tradition. Young Matthew and his family, including his faithful dog Jasper, move to California at the end of summer. Matthew’s parents and little sister are a lot more enthusiastic about the move than Matthew is. There appear to be no friends in his new life and to underline that fact, his church pastor calls him by the wrong name. The thought of a snowless Christmas sends Matthew into a deep funk and the fact that his father volunteers his family to play the Holy Family in his church nativity tableau does nothing to lighten his mood. To make it even worse, Jasper runs off while chasing a squirrel in the park. It will take a miracle, Matthew declares, to make it feel like Christmas. It will not surprise the reader that Christmas miracles do exist and this one unfolds in a very satisfactory way. The illustrations by Guy Porfirio make the story come alive. Their rich colors and attention to detail made me want to linger on each page.
This is a charming addition to a Christmas collection for school or home..

Gorgeous illustrations accompany this sweet story about a boy whose family moves to California. He's upset about missing his friends and all the trouble that comes with moving. Not too long after reaching California his dog gets lost. Convinced that it's going to be the worst Christmas ever, he even has to stop his sister from buying a cotton candy pink Christmas tree! What his family needs is a Christmas miracle!

Repeated references to the Nativity story (including multiple visits to church), this one is most assuredly a Christian book, not just a Christmas story. Because of that I won't be using it at story time at work. However, it's a sweet story with a simple message of hope and miracles. and it would be a great one to read to kids around Christmas time.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was not able to open the downloadable file. I have a Chromebook and am not able to open .acsm files.
I am sorry I am not able to provide a review. I was looking forward to reading this book.

I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This picture book tells the story of a boy who is devastated by his family's move to California andncamnt seem to find anything he likes about his new home. Convinced that the move and lack of snow will create the Worsf Christmas Ever, the disappearance of Mattthew's beloved dog helps to show him what really makes a home a home.

The story was cute and will be liked by young readers.

A reminder that when going through a hard time there is always light. This includes a small segment of the nativity story but mainly focuses around the boy's adjustment to his new home.

EXTREMELY CUTE picture book! Love the illustrations. What a talented artist!

I'm especially impressed with the Christian themes, even if lightly done. The family attends church and also participates in a living nativity.

Note: Part of the story is about the boy losing his dog/best friend. SPOILER ALERT! There's a happy ending. But some kids who have experienced losing a pet still may not enjoy that part of the story.

Love that ending! All in all, I really like this one.

Matthew's family is moving to California just before Christmas and he is not happy. He is preparing for "The Worst Christmas Ever." He wants a White Christmas, a nice green tree and his friends. The family attends a local church and even that causes problems when the pastor calls him Mark. To make matters even worse, his dog Jasper, runs after a squirrel and gets lost. As Christmas Eve approaches will the miracle his sister has been predicting happen?

I enjoyed the illustrations in this book. I liked the muted shading and colours as well as the wonderful expressions showed on the faces of the characters. They added very much to the story. My one complaint was that the illustrations seemed to show Lucy as being much older than the story made her appear. The story was simple, yet long enough to tell the story well. My grandchildren sat and listened intently, pointing things out in the illustrations and becoming a bit upset when Jasper ran off. They were quite happy at the ending and when I asked them if they wanted to hear the story again, they both agreed quickly. Overall a great reading experience for the three of us.

This is a cute book about moving and making a new life, accepting changes, looking for the positive and always looking for miracles to happen, especially at Christmas. The final line of the book says it all:

"It didn't matter now that there was no snow and that they'd almost had a pink tree. Christmas had come, right in the middle of Matthew's feeling lost in the world. Just as it had come that first Christmas, long ago."

It didn't matter now that there was no snow and that they'd almost had a pink tree. Christmas had come, right in the middle of Matthew's feeling lost in the world. Just as it had come that first Christmas, long ago.

Matthew's family is moving to California. He is use to having a white Christmas and now the move has changed everything. It has become the Worst Christmas Ever. Christmas is about anticipating and waiting and Matthew learns some very valuable lessons.

A great read when a move, or change around Christmas can be difficult for your kiddos. A look at what Matthew's family did to overcome those struggles and to find the real meaning of Christmas.

A Special Thank you to Flyaway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The Worst Christmas Ever by Kathleen Long Bostrom

Matthew is convinced that this Christmas is going to be the worst one in history. In the book, The Worst Christmas Ever, Matthew and his family have just moved to California.

Matthew struggles to adjust to his new life in California. He quickly realizes that trees do not change colors and they are not seasons in California.

Matthew’s hatred of his new home only grows when it is time to get his family’s Christmas tree. To Matthew, Christmas cannot exist without snow. His angry steam out with him as he claims that "only a miracle"

Any hope for his Christmas miracle disappears the moment his beloved dog, Jasper disappears while the two are outside. Matthew's heart breaks over the loss of his best friend. As the days to Christmas quickly approach Matthew's spirit to fall to an all-time low.

Like miracles often do, Matthew’s Christmas takes an unexpected turn at his church’s Christmas Eve service. With Matthew’s hope in the Christmas magic be returned or will he truly face his worst Christmas ever.

This sweet Christmas story by Kathleen Long Bostrom is a must-add to any family’s holiday collection. It is adorable from the beginning to the end. The message of this holiday story focuses on how miracles look different, and it is not about having the perfect Christmas.

The miracle of Christmas is not dependent on gifts or even snow. The true miracle of Christmas is spending the holiday surrounded by the friends, family, and pets that you love.

Thank you NetGalley and Flyaway Books for the ARC of the Worst Christmas Ever by Kathleen Long Bostrom.

At the start of the story, Matthew discovers that he and his family will be moving to California and nothing could be worse. Everything in his new home is different. No leaves for jumping with his beloved dog, pink Christmas trees, and no snow. While his family continues to find the good in their new neighborhood, Matthew can’t help but miss everything he left behind. The only positive thing in his life is his old dog that continues to be his trusty companion - until he runs away. Now life in this new town can not possibly be worse. Days pass and Matthew is as sad as ever. Finally, Christmas Eve arrives and Matthew is reunited with his beat friend.

The illustrations in this picture book are charming - along with Matthew’s adorable sister who finds the miracles in all situations. Being a huge dog lover, I wish the relationship between Matthew and his dog was built up more so when he loses his best friend it tugs on our heartstrings. The ending was predictable and slightly lackluster. I enjoy when Christmas stories tug on the heartstrings and this one fell flat for me. 3.5 stars