The Christmas Tree Tangle [Library Binding]

Margaret Mahy (Author), Anthony Kerins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

In a small village, a kitten has climbed the Christmas tree. First the cat goes to the kitten's rescue, then the dog, then the goat, then the pigs--but they all get stuck in the tree! How the kitten and her "rescuers" are finally rescued makes for a delightfully funny and lively conclusion. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A curious kitten gets the ball rolling in this rollicking cumulative tale of unusual efforts made to rescue the tiny feline from the top of the Christmas tree. Well-meaning animals take turns trying to get the kitten down, all with snarled results. The kitten finds her way back to the ground, but leaves her would-be rescuers stuck in the tree. A clever child carries out the detanglement in time for a holiday feast. Even if a tad too anthropomorphic at times, Kerins's vivacious acrylic paintings capture playful animals at their antic best. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-7. At the center of town is a gigantic Christmas tree, and a tiny kitten clings to the top branch. This is the situation that Mahy's cumulative poem describes as one animal after another climbs the tree to rescue kitty, only to get stuck themselves. Cat, dog, goat, pigs--they're all in there, hanging onto branches like ornaments. Young children will most likely get a kick out of seeing a tree decorated in such a fashion and will also respond to the innate humor in the situation--especially when the cat climbs down at story's end, leaving the others stranded. Kerins' acrylic paintings are realistic but can still absorb the fantasy element of the story. However, children will wonder where the animals come from in the first place and why the Santa statue--which has remained stationary throughout most of the book, but then suddenly climbs into a sleigh--doesn't save the day. Mahy's rhyming poetry begins weakly but gains strength. For larger collections. Kathryn Broderick

Product Details

• Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Margaret Mcelderry (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689506163
• ISBN-13: 978-0689506161
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,332,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand and is internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding children's writers today. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which have received England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She is also the recipient of An Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she received the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Rhyming Story, December 11, 2003

By 

JennyLee (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Tree Tangle (Library Binding)

If you enjoy fast-paced, fun rhyme, you'll love this story. Appropriate for children up to age 8, it is a purely fanciful story with detailed paintings. The poetry is full of alliteration and clever rhymes which makes it great fun to read. It took me about 5 minutes to read the entire book and both my 3 year old and 6 year old thought the story was funny. This would be a great choice as a holiday read-aloud for a Kindergarten or first grade classroom.