THE YEAR OF THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE: An Appalachian Story

by Gloria Houston ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1988

Drawing on her own family's tradition, the author of My Brother Joey Died tells a story that takes place in North Carolina at the end of WW I: in 1918 it's their turn to provide the community Christmas tree, so--on a lovely spring day--Ruthie and her father select a perfect tree on a steep mountaintop. By Christmas, Papa has gone to war, and--inexplicably--has not returned with the other men from the village. So Mama and Ruthie take their horse and fetch the tree, singing carols as they go and returning at dawn. Mama uses her own wedding gown to make Ruthie this costume she needs to be the angel in the Christmas pageant, and an angel doll for the treetop as well. A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality. Cooney's lucid, serene paintings are reminiscent of her fine work in another story of time past, The Ox-Cart Man (Caldecott Medal, 1980). A welcome addition to holiday collections, or a fine gift book.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1988

ISBN: 080370299X

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S