Manuel's Christmas - by Ana Maria Machado

A story that begins apparently simple and gradually grows in depth, in reflection, without losing the delightful way of getting very close to the children's universe, as Ana Maria Machado, in her narratives, knows how to do very well. A story about the curiosity of a boy, André, who wants to know what Christmas means. From question to question, to his parents, to his sister, to his grandmother, to his uncles, to the cook, to his friends, nothing becomes clear in his head, he just becomes more and more confused. A story about values, people and different points of view and a surprising ending. Before going to sleep, André lay down, thinking about it all. His little head remembered all those things: Christmas is the birth of Jesus. It's a great time to make money. It's a day to stay at home without working. It's a hassle. (…) It’s a good boy’s day to get a present.