Christmas Tree [Hardcover]

David Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2009

This title features sweet illustrations and simple language that bring the Christmas holiday to life for the youngest of children. At Christmas time, a tree from the outside comes inside, just waiting to be decorated. And some of the tree's ornaments are inspired by outdoor things, too - a snowflake, a ball, a bird, and a star. Spare language and luminous collage paintings offer a fresh, inviting look at well-loved traditions. This title is perfectly priced for holiday promotions. It is a very young concept book that intersperses real items with tree ornaments. It features multicultural cast of characters.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–These attractive board books feature simple, clear concepts and delightful pencil-and-watercolor illustrations enhanced with patterned fabric swatches. Christmas demonstrates the connection between what children might see in nature and ornaments that decorate a Christmas tree such as birds, snowflakes, and stars. Hanukkah celebrates familiar aspects of the holiday such as candle lighting and playing dreidel. In both books, it is the clever illustrations with their sunny colors, charming compositions, and multicultural casts of characters that really shine, making these titles satisfying choices.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library END --This text refers to the Board book edition.

About the Author

David Martin is the author of We've All Got Bellybuttons! illustrated by Randy Cecil and All for Pie and Pie for All, illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev, among other books for children. He lives in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Melissa Sweet is the author of numerous books for children, including Love and Kisses and My Grandma Is Coming to Town. She lives in Maine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens Hardbacks (September 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1406322601
• ISBN-13: 978-1406322606
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant Book In Its Message, August 25, 2010

By 

John P. Rooney "John" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Tree (Board book)

"Christmas Tree" by David Martin. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts 2009.


This is a small book, printed with bright colors on heavy duty cardboard pages. The author, David Martin has a delightful idea. He starts with a single word and single picture: tree, then a bird. Then, a bird in the tree. Then, a mouse...and then a mouse in the tree and you see that the mouse in the tree is a Christmas ornament. As you read, page by page, the clever idea begins to build up and you clearly see that the BALL becomes a bright Christmas ornament. Page after page of brightly colored illustrations.

But, then you come to the picture of the "HOUSE" where red-cheeked children have pressed their faces against the window. Turning to the last page, you reach the climax of the book: the tree is in the house, and has become a glorious Christmas tree, decorated with many of the items seen on the previous pages of the book. The people sit around with hot chocolate; they are smiling and warming themselves in front of the fireplace. Some are placing more decorations on the wonderful tree, or placing presents underneath the tree.

This is a great book, just the right size for a stocking stuffer. The words and the illustrations build up into a nice Christmas story. The book would be an attractive addition to any Christmas library.