The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming [Hardcover]

Janie Jasin (Author), Pam Kurtz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

For the smallest seedling on the tree farm, waiting and growing seem to take an eternity. As the seasons pass, the seedling observes the gifts that nature brings her - the sky, the wind, the birds and animals, and the sun and rain that help her grow. She dreams about the things she could become and gradually realizes that becoming a Christmas tree is only one of the many options life presents.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a simple tale about the smallest seedling planted in a field of pine trees who yearns to grow tall enough to become a Christmas tree. Waiting to grow seems like an eternity to this eager little tree. As time passes and the seasons change, the seedling begins to observe the beauty of her forest world and the magical gifts that nature brings -- the sky, wind, sun and rain. She dreams of all the different things she could become when she grows tall -- a shelter for rabbits and squirrels, cozy winter nest for birds, even a window frame for a family's home. Gradually she comes to understand what her longing is really about: the joy of life is to be found anew in each and every day, in appreciating the ordinary moments and the wonders of nature that are often taken for granted. The Littlest Christmas Tree is a book for the entire family to read together, inspiring children impatient to be grown up, and to remind adults who may have forgotten childhood pleasures. The Littlest Christmas Tree provides a gentle, simple and compelling message which invites readers of all ages to pause and reflect on the beauty and promise of today, and to embrace the possibilities of tomorrow. Pam Kurtz's beautiful artwork perfectly complements Janie Jasin's imaginative and well crafted story. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Book Peddlers, The (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916773752
• ISBN-13: 978-0916773755
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Book, December 27, 2001

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming (Hardcover)

This is an extraordinary book that is wonderful to read at Christmastime.

The little Christmas tree hopes to grow up to be a big, tall tree who will eventually be decorated and loved by a family at Christmas. The illustrations are beautiful in this book, and it features somewhat religious sayings.

This is a wonderful present for Christmas, and a must read for all.

9 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A somewhat disturbing story, November 28, 2005

By 

Stephanie Roth Sisson (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming (Hardcover)

This story is billed as being about growth and sounds like it's going to have some real content...the growth they are talking about isn't the spiritual or life learning sort of growth...it's physical growth...the tree grows and then is clipped into a shape the tree farmer...and then after it's been chosen to be a christmas tree and chopped down, it's then fashioned into a window. So what I read is, physically grow a certain way, let others physically change you so that you're acceptable...and then when you're no longer what they wanted you for, let them change you into something else...the lead charter is passive...not really a healthy message for children. There are so many wonderful stories in the Christmas genre, this is not one of them. I am returning this book.