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Maddie is having trouble sleeping at night because she's so excited about Christmas. Little sister Harper coughs all night, and this makes it even harder. Mom calls the doctor about Harper's bad cough and breathing trouble and brings her to the emergency room. Maddie and her sister Natalie are good helpers, gathering Harper's clothes, books, and her favorite bunny. The girls are worried Santa might not come for Christmas if Harper and Mom are still in the hospital, but Granddad assures them it's okay because they've been good all year. The girls are saddened to learn from Dad that Harper must stay (with Mom) in the hospital overnight—even on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning, Maddie and Natalie may only open one present each until Mom comes home with their little sister. They have difficulty being patient, even as Dad explains they must wait, so the entire family can open gifts together. In the end, however, Maddie learns what Christmas is really about.
Grimm's endearing picture book has much to teach young children about the ultimate importance of family and the virtue of selflessness. Inherent in this picture book's story are such hallmark values as being patient and caring for one another's health and happiness. Maddie experiences a positive change in perspective when she stops worrying about material items, like the presents, and instead focuses on her little sister's health. The resulting picture painted includes the entire family celebrating together. When Maddie, toward the end, looks around and sees the smiles on her family's faces—relieved that her little sister is finally home and no longer sick—readers learn that the knot in her stomach is gone. Maddie states her "sadness has been replaced by a warm feeling inside." Fortunately, that warm feeling is contagious for the reader as well.