Grandfather's Christmas Tree [Hardcover]

Keith Strand (Author), Thomas Locker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Beginning their life together in the Colorado wilderness, a young rancher and his wife work hard, and joyfully anticipate the birth of their first child. Their many hopes and dreams for their new family are suddenly put in danger when a merciless winter storm hits. The logs in the woodpile quickly dwindle, and soon their only chance for survival is to cut down the lone remaining spruce tree, which provides warmth and shelter to a family of geese--a family not unlike their own. On Christmas Eve the couple prays for a miracle that will protect them and their newborn son. Thomas Locker's glorious paintings and Keith Strand's inspiring reverie bring the Christmas spirit to life in this heartwarming story of faith and family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With the hushed, assured tone of a seasoned fireside storyteller, debut author Strand frames a stirring tale within a tale to explain a family's cherished holiday tradition. A grandfather flashes back to 1886 to describe how his own parents, then young and settling new territory in Colorado, prepare for the imminent arrival of their first child as blizzards howl. In a desperate moment, the couple refrain from cutting the spruce that could heat their home, in favor of letting a wild goose family use the tree's shelter. The act of kindness is commemorated in a homemade wood carving of the geese that the grandfather's descendants still place on the branches of the spruce each Christmas. Strand emphasizes strength, not sentiment, while Locker's darkish oils, characteristically sweeping nature studies, evoke a fresh, wild and awe-inspiring time and place. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-A young man and his wife move to Colorado in the spring of 1886 and build a home in a remote area half a day's wagon ride from the nearest town. Severe blizzards in November and December force them to chop down some sheltering spruce trees to heat their frigid cabin. The two discover a pair of geese taking shelter under the lone remaining spruce and they agonize over whether to cut it down. Despite their troubles, the woman gives birth to a healthy baby boy, and the family manages to survive until the next big winter storm arrives. After a night of "hoping and praying for a miracle," they awaken on Christmas morning to find a change in the weather. Although the text reads smoothly, the couple's dire circumstances are repeatedly emphasized to the point that they bog down the narrative. Locker's characteristically beautiful oil landscapes and, in the nature scenes, breathtaking use of color draw readers' attention. Strand ties up his tale with a holiday tradition that commemorates that fateful winter, which may spark children to inquire about their own family customs. For read-aloud programs, this title could be paired with Gloria Houston's The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree (Dial, 1988) for a historical approach to Christmas.-M.M.H.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (September 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152018212
• ISBN-13: 978-0152018214
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,965,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story about commitment, adventure and pioneers., October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandfather's Christmas Tree (Hardcover)

Beautifully illustrated story of family 100 years ago moving westward to Colorado and making a new home and battling the elements. Saving a family of geese, one injured, from a rough winter, and staying committed to each other thru rough times makes story engrossing and rewarding.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sweet story of faith, March 24, 2005

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grandfather's Christmas Tree (Hardcover)

This is a true story about the author's grandfather. Over 100 years ago his grandfather moved west to Colorado to start his family. All around the land was coved in spruce trees. One winter the weather is really bad and they think they will have to cut all the tress for fire wood. 2 geese have made their home under one tree and one is hurt and can't move on. The grandmother in the story begs the grandpa to leave the tree a little longer. He does and the story has a happy ending.

This book can be valuable as a teaching tool. It is a book that teaches the value of family, material things, memories, nature, and history. Life cycles, the seasons, and holidays are so important to the family in the book.
I would recommend this book to others. The book is a great holiday book but the themes in the story should be taught year around.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Christmas Storybook, November 5, 2000

By 

Stephanie Gibson (Winchester, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandfather's Christmas Tree (Hardcover)

Grandfather's Christmas Tree is a beautifully written and illustrated non-fiction book. The story is about the author's grandfather and a tall spruce tree outside his home. The illustrations are done in oil paints. This is a wonderful story about family and should be included in everyone's Christmas reading collection.