The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story [Paperback]

Gloria Houston (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 1, 1996 | Age Range: 5 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 600L (What's this?)

Acclaimed author Gloria Houston has written a tale that is as joyful and timeless as Christmas itself. Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor. "A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality."--Kirkus Reviews. Publisher's Weekly Bestseller. Booklist Best Books of the Decade. Full color.

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140558772
• ISBN-13: 978-0140558777
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.1 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Armistice has been declared, but still there is no sign of Ruthie's father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town. Ruthie had accompanied her father to the rocky cliff where he marked a tree in the spring, so she and her mother set out to find it again, and haul it home. Their trip becomes the basisovernightof a new town legend; Ruthie, chosen for the role of the heavenly angel in the the church Christmas play, finds herself outfitted in a madeover wedding dress of the finest silkanother "miracle" wrought by her hardworking mother. An accomplished, fluid telling garnishes this simple story, as do Cooney's moonlit paintings of wintry evenings and the welcoming glow of fire and lanterns. Ruthie is more or less an observer; her mother is the real heroine. But the way they work together to keep their family's duty is rendered in a harmonious blending of text and pictures. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140558772
• ISBN-13: 978-0140558777
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.1 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless Christmas classic October 13, 1999

By Elizabeth

Format:Hardcover

I enjoy reading this book every year around Christmas time. My mom first read it to me when I was little. I am sophomore in High School now and I still find delight in reading this classic Christmas story. Since I am older now, and have a deeper understanding of compassion, I have discovered a whole new meaning to the story. If you are putting together a Christmas story collection, "The Year of the Perfect Christmas" Tree should be one of your selections.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterfully Written Teaching Tool December 2, 2001

By Carolyn

Format:Hardcover

As a teacher, I found this book so 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. It teaches how a family values relationships and plans for the future to insure those relationships. There is nothing hap-hazard in this masterfully written book. It is a true gem. I have found that it correlates to all subjects in primary grades and its historical value is supurb. The contribution of Gloria Huston's illustrations are a perfect blend with the text of the book. Text and illustrations hold each other's hands from beginning to end. I looked forward to using this book in my instruction each year. Few books have the perfection this one possesses. Buy it, read it over and over, and pass it on to posterity. Their lives will be richer for having experienced this book.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A tender story about real love to be read each Christmas January 7, 2000

By S. Shoop

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was brought home from school with my daughter in first grade. I was frantically trying to get ready for Christmas and was a little frustrated that at this particularly frantic moment, I was asked to read a book with so many words! With my daughter tucked in I began to read. After getting to the end, I couldn't wait to get downstairs and tell my husband about it. The peace and love that is Christmas is what this book so gently reminds you to focus on. It conjures in me the same emotions as when reading "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. This book should not be missed!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars holiday favorite November 15, 2000

By piiakim pehap

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book in 1988 for my children. We read it every year, along with other holiday favorites. And I cry EVERY time I read it. P.S. for teachers: This is a good read-aloud for all ages.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A story about home November 9, 2005

By C. Waldron

Format:Hardcover

I grew up in the little town that this story is about, Spruce Pine, North Carolina. I just visited there and purchased the book for my grandaughter. I enjoyed the story so much.

And my grandaughter loved it. The descriptions reminded me so much of home and family and how we enjoyed the holidays together. The language is perfectly aligned with the customs and culture of the Appalachian People. I am so thankful for this book and the wonderful memories it has returned to me.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "classic" September 23, 2000

By Rachel

Format:Hardcover

As the title states, the book is truly "classic". As a small child my Mother would always read this to me while I was tucked in under the sheets on a snowy night. And that is just what this book is meant for: memories. The miracle that happens to the young girl and her mother on Christmas Eve has brought many to a slight misty-eyed smile, as I have witnessed through sharing it. It is more than just the story; the pictures are amazingly beautiful. Certain one of those "togetherness" books in times to share with your family, truely catching that magic of Christmas.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect! September 5, 2006

By L. Winkler

Format:Hardcover

This book is the very best Christmas story book I own (and I own a lot). My little girls ask me to read this over and over and I find it a joy to read it every time. We ALWAYS cry. The kids can feel the love of a mother for her child and the magic of Christmas miracles as we read. We learn that miracles happen because of the love we give to one another. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains and the illustrations make me absoultely homesick, they are breathtaking! I received this book as a gift from my mother and have also given this as gifts which are always very well received. You won't be disappointed wtih this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Story November 30, 2004

By Anna M. Allred

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was fortunate enough to hear the author read this in a graduate course. Later on, I read it to my second grade class and they loved it. Although I live in the mountains of Tennesee, the kids I taught at that time were from "transplanted" families, so they had never heard phrases like "treat poke," "britches," and "crags." This book provided many teachable moments.

My mom also read it and the story brought back memories of her own childhood and Christmas pagents with Santa bringing treat pokes.

Ms. Houston portrays her Appalachian heritage with dignity, pride, and respect. Great book!