The Gift is more of a book of art, with a gentle story, more than anything else.  The illustrations for the book are all done using a paper cutting technique from one single sheet of paper.  They are so finely detailed it is quite impressive to turn from page to page to see the various events of the storyline play out.  The story is a gentle story, but I’m not sure who is the audience for this book.  The story begins as a young girl sits in a clearing in the woods, making a flower chain, wishing she could be buried her when she is dead.  What?  Do little girls really think that?  She grows and goes through life, always coming back to the clearing, making it more beautiful by adding seeds and bulbs.  She is finally through with her life and her wish (The Gift?) comes true.  Just thinking that this is the place she wants to be buried when dead throws a pall over the story, even though her life is joyful.  I would have thought that as a young girl she would wish that she could build a house and live in the clearing.  So…the story I’m not so sure about, nor does it work as a read aloud.  But the artwork is absolutely beautiful.