Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree [Board book]

Crystal Bowman (Author), Claudine Gévry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2005 | Age Range: 2 - 5 years

Let's decorate the tree! Little ones can't wait to put up the Christmas tree-a clear sign of exciting things to come. But what's the meaning of this holiday tradition? Learn the symbolic meaning of the Christmas tree, from lights and ornaments and the star on top to the blessing of presents underneath.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Christmas is an exciting time, especially when it comes to decorating the tree. But is there more to this tradition than simple fun?

Told in rhyme, this story details the meaning behind the common ornaments and symbols we place on our Christmas trees each year, as well as the reasons why we top the tree with a star and gather presents underneath.

About the Author

Crystal Bowman loves writing books for kids. Her books come in all shapes and sizes and many of them have become best sellers. Whether her stories are written in playful rhythm and rhyme, or short sentences for beginning readers, she tries to make them so enjoyable that kids will want to read them over and over again. 'But the most important part,' she says, 'is to teach children that God loves them and cares about them very much.' SPANISH BIO: A Crystal Bowman le gusta escribir relatos y poemas. Cuando tenia diez anos, su libro favorito era una coleccion de poemas divertidos que todavia conserva. Ademas de escribir relatos, poemas y rimas, Crystal disfruta pasando tiempo con su esposo y sus hijos ya crecidos, dando largas caminatas y comiendo helados. Ellos dividen su tiempo entre Michigan y Florida.

You can find Claudine diving the oceans with Technicolor fish, camel riding in the Sahara, trekking in a jungle populated with wild monkeys, or exploring the African savanna in search of huge elephants. Although adventurous, she sometimes gets scared when coming upon a giant spider or other scary beasts. At that time she heads back to the comfort of her studio, where she draws all the wonderful things she saw and dreams of her next visit to faraway lands.

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
  
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz (September 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310708745
• ISBN-13: 978-0310708742
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Crystal Bowman is a best selling author of more than 60 books for kids as well as 3 books for women. She also writes magazine articles and lyrics for children's piano music. She wrote her first poem when she was in the 4th grade. Her teacher told her she would be a poet someday. Her first book of poetry, CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALK, was published in 1993. It has been republished several times and is still in print. She also speaks at schools, churches, and writers' conferences. For more information on Crystal, you can visit her website at www.crystalbowman.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A nice message, but not the best delivery December 11, 2007

By Tanya Dennis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Board book

Narrated by a young girl in pig-tails, this book describes the significance of specific items on her Christmas tree.

"My tree tells a story of long, long ago
from the star on the top to the present below.
When God in his mercy and wonderful love
sent his son Jesus from heaven above."

One by one she points out angels, a manger, bells, a star, the lights and the presents. She relates each one back to Jesus and the story of His birth. The book ends by encouraging readers: "So as you gather around your tree, remember Christ came for you and for me."

What I Like: I like that every ornament - even things not necessarily "Christian" - is used to point children to Jesus. The book is just fun - it's so colorful and, when opened, is the shape of a Christmas tree.

What I Dislike: Normally, I like rhyming text -- I think it helps kids remember more -- but in this book, it seems too cutesy for the subject matter. I feel the book would be more effective if told through simple prose. Also, many things this girl puts on her tree, we don't put on ours. We have a nativity scene with a manger, but we don't put it on our tree. We don't have bells or angels ... I feel like I need to buy a bunch of new ornaments before my kids will internalize the message of this book.

Overall Rating: Good, but not great.

Special Note: The publisher says ages 3 and above, but I think children as young as 1 will enjoy this short, colorful book. The format is perfect for toddlers -- big, sturdy and colorful.

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A rare find. December 27, 2006

By rjncmj6

Format:Board book|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is one of the cutest Christmas books I've ever read! It's a little girl telling the religious meaning behind symbols relating to the Christmas tree. Like the star, lights, angels and bells and it's all told in a simplified rhyming way. Very easy for kids of all ages to follow along and enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Christmas!! December 16, 2008

By Kristal

Format:Board book

I absolutely love this book! I read it to my young preschool class and it held their attention. This is such an easy to read book. Ms. Bowman writes about many things children are familiar with and explains how they relate to the birth of Christ. The illustrations are colorful and large for small children. A must have book!!!