A Very Dairy Christmas
Sylvia Hysen
Reviewed by Barb Radmore
Although this was released in November of 2005, the story in A Very
Dairy Christmas is timeless. It deserves to be revisited every holiday
to remind us of the possibilities for all of us - the
possibility to change, the possibility to help. It is especially
relevant during the holiday season to give us a nudge in the direction
of giving something of ourselves, not just our pocketbooks.
As for pocketbooks, Callie has a large, designer one filled with credit
cards. The daughter of a famous fashion photographer she is queen of
her teen group, all girls at the very exclusive private school
Ridgecrest Prep. She has it all, all except a close family. Her mother
is usually off on fashion shoots and rarely has time for Callie. Her
mother, Zoey, does not feel good about it but it is a situation she can
not change. So they are both looking forward to the Christmas
holidays and a promised ski trip together to Aspen. But at the
last minute these plans change and Callie is forced to spend her
vacation at her grandparents' dairy farm in Deer Creek, Wisconsin.
Callie's grandparents are very happy to finally have Callie back in
their lives. As a child she spent many holidays there but after her
father, their son, died Zoey cut off all contact. But Elsa and
Johann are shocked by the attitude and behavior of the girl Callie has
become. Since their feelings are not tempered by family love, their
friends and farm workers are even more disgusted by Callie. They go out
of their way to make life difficult for the rude, arrogant girl. It
takes a reunion with her childhood friend Amanda, who is suffering from
leukemia, for Callie to realize what a brat she had become. The fact
that Amanda has a very attractive brother is an asset too. With help
from her ever loving and patient grandmother, Callie works to mend
friendships and find a mission in life. For her it is the discovery of
the children's cancer ward at the local hospital. The story of how she
meets their needs is the warm, touching story line in this feel
good book.
This book is marketed as a teen book because of its teenage main
character but it can certainly appeal to adults also. It is a also a
fun book to read, filled with many comic moments that amuse and
entertain. The author is able to take a serious subject and make it
accessible to all readers.
Sylvia Hysen has used this book to promote Locks of Love, the nonprofit
that collects long pieces of hair to make into wigs for children who
would like them due to hair loss caused by a variety of diseases. She
emphasizes not only the need for donors but also to get the word spread
that this is available.
The author is planning a sequal "A Very Dairy Summer" where we hope to
be reunited with Callie and her new found family.