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Heartwood Hotel #2
The Greatest Gift
Mona the mouse has finally found a place to call home, the cozy Heartwood Hotel, where she works as a maid and sleeps snuggled up in a room with her best friend. Following the festive St. Slumber celebration, most of the guests have settled in to hibernate, and the staff is looking forward to a relaxing winter. But disruptions abound, from a difficult duchess to a mysterious midnight snacker. As the snow stacks higher, Mona will have to gather friends both old and new to keep the peace, finding help in some of the most unexpected places.
The second book in the enchanting Heartwood Hotel series, The Greatest Gift will warm your heart with its endearing characters and exquisite illustrations.
The second book in the enchanting Heartwood Hotel series, The Greatest Gift will warm your heart with its endearing characters and exquisite illustrations.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2017
About the author
Kallie George
81 books330 followersI’m an author, editor, and speaker living in Vancouver, BC, near the sea. When I’m not writing or editing, I’m teaching creative writing workshops.
I have my Masters of Children's Literature from the University of British Columbia.
I love picture books, fairy tales, beautiful art and music, and baking cookies.
I have my Masters of Children's Literature from the University of British Columbia.
I love picture books, fairy tales, beautiful art and music, and baking cookies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
January 7, 2020
A sweet, cozy read for wintertime. A few of the references to St. Slumber's Day and the like are somewhat reminiscent of Christmas so it makes a good holiday read but it's also vague and nature-based enough to work for families who don't celebrate Christmas. As with the first book, it's a tale of friendship, giving, misunderstandings, and ultimately compassion. It is a light, easy read yet is pleasantly written and I love the little details about the Heartwood Hotel and the rooms for different animals and such. There is some mild peril and a bit of "lurking danger" and more with the theme of orphans -- it is tame but might bother some children who are sensitive especially with animal stories though there is an inevitable happy ending. I plan to continue the series.
September 9, 2018
Very sweet - I actually liked this one more than the first!
July 12, 2021
Oh, I just love Mona and Tilly and all of the other critters in the story.
May 8, 2019
La vie à l'hôtel suit son cours. L'hiver étant là, l'organisation s'en retrouve modifiée et si comme toujours, on s'attend à ce que le calme règne, rien ne va se passer comme prévu. Les petits problèmes survenants rythment agréablement le récit et si le déroulé n'est pas des plus surprenants, de nouveau je me suis complètement contentée du contenu. L'histoire est pleine d'émotion, elle dévoile plusieurs situations tendres et touchantes, et elle fourmille d'embûches que vont devoir affronter et surmonter nos petits personnages. L'hiver est bel et bien là, froid et parfois impitoyable, mais si on sait où chercher, il est possible de trouver des endroits ou la chaleur réchauffe les corps et les cœurs. Bienvenue à l'hôtel Heartwood.
Mon avis complet : https://bloggalleane.blogspot.com/201...
Mon avis complet : https://bloggalleane.blogspot.com/201...
September 8, 2021
We have fallen in love with the Heartwood Hotel! Even my war-loving 8 year old boy. These books are SO sweet, but there is just a little bit of suspense, just a little bit of conflict, just enough to make it an exciting read aloud. For a simple story, the language is so beautiful. Children are also taught important lessons about friendship, courage, and sacrifice. It feels like a near-perfect early childhood read aloud to me. I got three simultaneous, "one more chapter!" at the end of each chapter, and that is the best indicator of a good book!
January 20, 2024
Winterwunderland im kleinen Waldhotel!
Das perfekte Kinderbuch (ab 7 Jahre) für alle, die Waldtiere, den Winter und ein herzerwärmendes Abenteuer zu schätzen wissen. Kuschelt euch mit einem Tee ein und genießt diese Geschichte!
Mona Maus erlebt ihr 2. Abenteuer (man muss Band 1 nicht gelesen haben) und diesmal müssen die Tiere eine Lösung für die Futterknappheit aufgrund eines Schneesturms finden.
Ein bisschen erinnert mich das kleine Waldhotel an eine tierische Kinderversion von Kerstin Giers "Wolkenschloss".
Das perfekte Kinderbuch (ab 7 Jahre) für alle, die Waldtiere, den Winter und ein herzerwärmendes Abenteuer zu schätzen wissen. Kuschelt euch mit einem Tee ein und genießt diese Geschichte!
Mona Maus erlebt ihr 2. Abenteuer (man muss Band 1 nicht gelesen haben) und diesmal müssen die Tiere eine Lösung für die Futterknappheit aufgrund eines Schneesturms finden.
Ein bisschen erinnert mich das kleine Waldhotel an eine tierische Kinderversion von Kerstin Giers "Wolkenschloss".
June 27, 2024
Just so cute. My kids have said “5 acorn review!” ☺️
September 12, 2024
Great second installment to the Heartwood series! My kindergartener is hooked.
A says: I liked the deer named Francis. This story was exciting! The most exciting part was finding out about Hood.
A says: I liked the deer named Francis. This story was exciting! The most exciting part was finding out about Hood.
November 19, 2017
A sweet, wholesome, feel-good book perfect for fall/winter reading. This would be great choice for a confident reader in the lower elementary grades, and also as family read alouds. I look forward to more in this series by Kallie George.
October 4, 2017
Four and a half stars: An adorable sequel with charming characters and important messages.
Mona the mouse is happy in her new home at the Heartwood Hotel. She has a family and lots of friends. She is excited to attend her first St. Slumber celebration, but she is dismayed when she learns that everyone exchanges gifts. Mona receives gifts, but has nothing to give in return. She is determined to make it right, but her plans are interrupted when a demanding visitor shows up at the hotel, and someone starts stealing food. Who is taking the food and why?
What I Liked:
*My kids and I were thrilled to be able to return to the Heartwood Hotel in this second book, The Greatest Gift. Once again, we loved the characters, the setting, and the positive messages. This a wonderful series to read and share with your kids. I can’t recommend it enough.
*This time around, Mona is learning about helping others. She is upset when she receives gifts and doesn’t have anything in return. So when the rug at the Heartwood is ruined, Mona wants to fix it by weaving another one. I loved her determination to finish the rug. Then something happens and Mona is forced to make a decision about her rug, I loved her altruism. She is an adorable character.
*In this book, Mona encounters a Duchess. The Duchess isn’t exactly nice. She is demanding and critical, and unkind to the staff at the Heartwood. Thankfully, she does a surprise turn around at the end, and I loved her transformation. Her character is an example to younger readers. I think it is important to discuss the Duchess with your kids as you read this.
*This is also a story about helping others. Mona encounters a rat. At first, she is quick to judge and she is afraid of the rat, until she gets to know him and learns what he does to help others. Another important lesson for young readers.
*The story ends on a positive note. I loved the way everything worked out for Hood and his orphans.
And The Not So Much:
*The book opens with an ominous warning from the ground hog. What was the ground hog afraid of? This wasn’t explained later.
*We were left wondering about Henry. Was he able to stay with Tilly?
*Unfortunately, I can’t speak on the illustrations as our copy was an advanced copy and the illustrations weren’t present, which was a disappointment to my kids.
The Greatest Gift is a heart warming story that teaches young readers the importance of kindness and helping others. I loved the sweet characters, the message and the wonderful story. My kids and I can’t get enough of this series. I highly recommend these books for reading aloud with young children. They are adorable.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Mona the mouse is happy in her new home at the Heartwood Hotel. She has a family and lots of friends. She is excited to attend her first St. Slumber celebration, but she is dismayed when she learns that everyone exchanges gifts. Mona receives gifts, but has nothing to give in return. She is determined to make it right, but her plans are interrupted when a demanding visitor shows up at the hotel, and someone starts stealing food. Who is taking the food and why?
What I Liked:
*My kids and I were thrilled to be able to return to the Heartwood Hotel in this second book, The Greatest Gift. Once again, we loved the characters, the setting, and the positive messages. This a wonderful series to read and share with your kids. I can’t recommend it enough.
*This time around, Mona is learning about helping others. She is upset when she receives gifts and doesn’t have anything in return. So when the rug at the Heartwood is ruined, Mona wants to fix it by weaving another one. I loved her determination to finish the rug. Then something happens and Mona is forced to make a decision about her rug, I loved her altruism. She is an adorable character.
*In this book, Mona encounters a Duchess. The Duchess isn’t exactly nice. She is demanding and critical, and unkind to the staff at the Heartwood. Thankfully, she does a surprise turn around at the end, and I loved her transformation. Her character is an example to younger readers. I think it is important to discuss the Duchess with your kids as you read this.
*This is also a story about helping others. Mona encounters a rat. At first, she is quick to judge and she is afraid of the rat, until she gets to know him and learns what he does to help others. Another important lesson for young readers.
*The story ends on a positive note. I loved the way everything worked out for Hood and his orphans.
And The Not So Much:
*The book opens with an ominous warning from the ground hog. What was the ground hog afraid of? This wasn’t explained later.
*We were left wondering about Henry. Was he able to stay with Tilly?
*Unfortunately, I can’t speak on the illustrations as our copy was an advanced copy and the illustrations weren’t present, which was a disappointment to my kids.
The Greatest Gift is a heart warming story that teaches young readers the importance of kindness and helping others. I loved the sweet characters, the message and the wonderful story. My kids and I can’t get enough of this series. I highly recommend these books for reading aloud with young children. They are adorable.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
July 15, 2020
This is the second book in the series of four. In these chapters we find Mona fitting in well in the heartwood hotel and doing her work as expected. She is friends with Tilly and all are busily getting the hibernation rooms prepared for those guests who want a safe place to hibernate. During the winter, the hotel's food supply gets lost on its delivery route, and what they do have is diminishing mysteriously. Mona sets out to find the culprit, but Tilly suspects her because Mona has a secret. One adventure leads to another, and surprises, too.
This is an enjoyable series for middle grade and up - and younger if it's being read to them.
This is an enjoyable series for middle grade and up - and younger if it's being read to them.
January 4, 2023
Encore un carton plein pour ce 2ème tome de la saga Hôtel Heartwood 💙
C'était doux, hivernal à souhait, plein de good vibes et tellement cute !
I mean...que demande le peuple ?!
J'ai adoré retrouver l'hôtel, cette fois-ci pour une saison hivernale qui devait s'annoncer calme (mais on est à Heartwood, donc évidemment ce n'était pas le cas), suivre Mona, Tilly et les autres animaux dans leur recherche du voleur des provisions.
Un très chouette ouvrage pour bien commencer cette nouvelle année 💙
C'était doux, hivernal à souhait, plein de good vibes et tellement cute !
I mean...que demande le peuple ?!
J'ai adoré retrouver l'hôtel, cette fois-ci pour une saison hivernale qui devait s'annoncer calme (mais on est à Heartwood, donc évidemment ce n'était pas le cas), suivre Mona, Tilly et les autres animaux dans leur recherche du voleur des provisions.
Un très chouette ouvrage pour bien commencer cette nouvelle année 💙
October 24, 2023
We just can't get over these little woodland critters! My kids look forward to reading this book each day, myself, as well. We really enjoyed this book almost more than the first! There was more adventure in this book, which was really fun!
April 11, 2018
What an imagination Kallie George has! This was a pleasure to read. A true classic.
February 17, 2019
Herzerwärmend.
Selbst wenn die Welt zusammenbricht, Freunde und Bekannte werden nicht vor die Tür gesetzt.
Selbst wenn die Welt zusammenbricht, Freunde und Bekannte werden nicht vor die Tür gesetzt.
February 17, 2020
Is it just me, or does reading this make me sleepy? Maybe because it's winter themed, and quite peaceful at the beginning. I have no idea, but I'll sum this book up in one word. Cozy.
June 22, 2022
This series is just delightful for lower elementary--- sweet characters, lovely setting, and just enough action without too much peril. My kids (9/7/5) really enjoyed this one!
July 5, 2022
We love this series and couldn’t wait to read the next one! They’re so much fun to read aloud with my kids!
March 9, 2023
Read this as a read-aloud for my kids. A nice, light story for fun before bed. They’re looking forward to the next one.
April 9, 2024
I enjoyed listening to my 2nd grader read this. She has really enjoyed the series.
September 19, 2021
I really love this series!
October 29, 2023
Such a cute little story of found family and friends. It's all so cozy. My 6 y/o really loved it too.
March 5, 2024
A wonderful sequel - lots of adventure, well-written, and thoroughly enjoyed by my kiddos. There were several remarks of, “please, one more chapter, please!”
November 29, 2021
The kids and I enjoyed this second book in the series as Mona learns about gift giving and receiving. We’re liking this series and will read the next one.
December 2, 2023
Sweet and wholesome with surprisingly lovely writing. This series is such a cute read-aloud for your favorite little preschoolers!
January 12, 2021
This series is so cute! All of my kids keep begging for one more chapter. I probably wouldn’t read this series if it was just my older kids but I try to vary the reading levels for my read alouds.
April 8, 2023
2021 - The kids seem to be at the absolutely perfect age for this series and we flew through this one. These characters have become a part of our family culture, with all three kids referencing characters in everyday interactions. This one was a delightful expansion of the Heartwood Hotel world and characters and we are anxiously awaiting the next one at the library.
2023 - rereading this with them was a lot of fun. The boys remembered just enough to squeal with anticipation at certain moments. And E remembered nothing, but just enjoyed the lovely story as if for the first time.
2023 - rereading this with them was a lot of fun. The boys remembered just enough to squeal with anticipation at certain moments. And E remembered nothing, but just enjoyed the lovely story as if for the first time.
April 30, 2021
Just as good as the first book in the series without being a "copycat". The previous friendships progress, new friends are met, new adventures are had, new problems are presented and solved. I love this series for teaching my 6 y.o. son about friendships, problem solving, thinking of others, feelings, etc. He really enjoys the animal characters too.
February 10, 2023
2023: Read aloud to my 4 year old and he also enjoyed it! These are delightful chapter books to start with!
2019: I read this out loud to my 5 year old and we both really enjoyed it. It's a sweet story and I like how each book takes place during a different season.
2019: I read this out loud to my 5 year old and we both really enjoyed it. It's a sweet story and I like how each book takes place during a different season.
October 17, 2023
This is another very sweet book in this series. Our kids (8, 6, 4) asked for "Mona the Mouse" constantly. There are big lessons about friendship, honesty, bravery, etc, but it is never too scary or pointed in the lessons. We loved it so much that we are buying the set for Valentine's day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews