Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Milly and the Macy’s Parade
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Historical Fiction Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Scholastic, 2006 ISBN: 978-0439297554
Milly had been living in America for a year now and she is happy in her new country. She is happy sharing this new life with her parents and she is happy when she gets to explore the store where her father works, Macy's department store. Every day after school Milly walks around the store looking at the clothes, toys, and other goods. Most of the people whom Milly sees are dazzled by Macy's beautiful holiday displays and delighted by the items that are available for sale. There are some though who are not impressed, and who are not happy. Indeed Milly's own father is one of these people. These are the people who are homesick, who miss the traditions and foods of their homeland and who miss the holiday seasons of the past
Milly knows what it feels like to be homesick. She remembers how she felt when she first came to America and when she missed Poland very much indeed. So she decides that something has to be done to make the holidays more familiar and meaningful for these homesick people.
Not being the kind of girl who wastes any time, Milly goes to see Mr. Macy himself. She explains why his employees look so unhappy and why they don't have any of the "festive" spirit. She suggests that Macy?s should do something to "bring a little of everyone's home to America."
Luckily for everyone Mr. Macy is inspired by Milly's ideas and he decides that Macy's is going to have a parade on Thanksgiving, a parade with "singing and strolling in the streets," with music, with costumes, and with Santa Claus sitting in his sleigh.
In this delightful story children will not only learn something about that famous holiday tradition The Macy's Day Parade, but they will also be reminded that America is truly a melting pot of peoples from all over the world. The result of this mix is something truly unique which combines the best of the old world with the best of the new.
Based on a true story, this is a picture book which is sure to become a firm holiday favorite with families of all kinds. Rich colorful illustrations perfectly compliment the text and at the back the book the author includes some further information about Macy's and its famous holiday parade.
