Midwest Book Review A Very Special Christmas Tree

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Children’s Bookwatch,
August 2016
A Very Special Christmas Tree
Debra Buchanan, author
Nataly Savitskaya, illustrator
Dancing Pen Publishers
9780578170466, $12.99, HC, www.amazon.com

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1451944018909{padding-top: 25px !important;}”][us_single_image image=”77″ size=”medium” align=”center”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1450297858006{padding-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]”A Very Special Christmas Tree” is a beautiful holiday themed book about the gift of sharing, and the original meaning of Christmas. Originally planned as a stage ballet production, the story of “A Very Special Christmas Tree” teaches patience, self-regard and self worth, kindness to all, and the importance of compassion. Beautifully illustrated with expressive faces on the different Christmas tree characters, each page leads to a new vision of holiday togetherness, celebration, and joy. The little pine tree grew slowly in the forest, watching all it’s fellow Christmas trees grow tall and majestic. Each one hoped to be the tallest tree, to be chosen for a magnificent destiny as a very special Christmas tree. But although the little Christmas tree gave what shelter it had to birds and animals, it remained the smallest tree. The woodland fairies flying among the trees teased the little tree and called it “pipsqueak.” All the larger trees were selected for regal venues, one for the Nutcracker Ballet, one for Saks for the shoppers to admire, another for the Plaza Hotel, and two large ones for the Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center. How the little tree wished she were big enough to be chosen! Her furry and feathered friends tried to console her gently. But finally a kind man came and chose the small tree, taking it away in the back of his pickup. Anticipating a grand entrance, the little tree was disappointed to find her new home which was a small, bare house, with homemade decorations. Then she saw the kind man offering thoughtful gifts and holiday food and a warm fire to different poor people who were in definite need of cheer and comfort. The little tree was told by an angel, “you have been taken to a very special home. It is a place where the true spirit of Christmas is shared.” The angel went on to say that when the little tree gave shelter to the birds and animals, she was preparing for this, her own very important destiny to help give shelter and care to those who need it most. Finally the little tree understood. She lifted her branches and seemed to glisten in the light. The little tree understood that even though they were humble, the gifts given in her new home were compassion, sharing, and kindness. “I am the very best tree of all!” she thought. “A Very Special Christmas Tree” is a lovely book to teach children more about the true meaning of Christmas. For those interested, further information about the original performance rights and licensing of the ballet production are directed to author Debra Buchanan via the Dancing Pen Publishers website.

James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]