The Trees of the Dancing Goats (Aladdin Picture Books) [Paperback]

Patricia Polacco (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Aladdin Picture Books

Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. In the middle of her family's preparation for the festival of lights, Trisha visits her closest neighbors, expecting to find them decorating their house for Christmas. Instead they are all bedridden with scarlet fever. Trisha's family is one of the few who has been spared from the epidemic. It is difficult for them to enjoy their Hanukkah feast when they know that their neighbors won't be able to celebrate their holiday. Then Grampa has an inspiration: they will cut down trees, decorate them, and secretly deliver them to the neighbors, "But what can we decorate them with?" Babushka asks. Although it is a sacrifice, Trisha realizes that Grampa's carved animals are the perfect answer. Soon her living room is filled with trees -- but that is only the first miracle of many during an incredible holiday season.

Based on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Polacco has a warm, colorful illustrative style that has enriched her numerous other works such as Babushka Baba Yaga and I Can Hear the Sun. Here she applies it to what at first seems the simple story of a Jewish girl, Trisha, and her Christian neighbors, whose bout with scarlet fever at Christmas threatens to ruin Trisha's Hanukkah. Trisha and her family respond with a loving gesture that is rewarded in kind. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Polacco's (Babushka's Doll) warmhearted memoir can easily be pressed into double duty for both Hanukkah and Christmas reading. On the family farm in Michigan, Trisha and Richard watch as Babushka and Grampa prepare for Hanukkah in their native Russian way, hand-dipping the candles, carving the children gifts of little wooden animals, cooking the latkes. When scarlet fever debilitates their neighbors, Trisha's whole family pitches in to make and deliver holiday dinners and Christmas trees (decorated with the children's wooden animals). Polacco's characteristically buoyant illustrations embody the joy of holiday traditions even as her robust storytelling locates the essence of that joy in sharing and friendship. While this work should have broad appeal, it is in particular an excellent choice for families seeking to mingle Jewish and Christian traditions. Ages 5-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Reprint edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689838573
• ISBN-13: 978-0689838576
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P ) > Polacco, Patricia
  • #47 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Jewish

More About the Author

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Polacco story., July 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Trees Of The Dancing Goats (Hardcover)

This book is a rare find. Patricia Polacco grabs the readers interest with her usual warmth. The story tells of a winter on the farm when most of the rest of the families in the village have come down with Scarlet Fever. As Trisha and her family prepare for the upcoming Hanukkah celebration, they realize that the other families will not be well enough to celebrate Christmas. Trisha's family decides that they will take a special holiday dinner and decorations made from their Hanukkah presents to the other families homes to surprise them. The example of unselfish giving is one every child should be exposed to.

I have read this book to my first grade class each year for the last three years. Each time I read it, there will be at least a couple of children who begin to cry. I cannot read this story without getting a lump in my throat. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have, September 1, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Trees Of The Dancing Goats (Hardcover)

This lovely tale of goowill and friendship between Christians and Jews is a must for every elementary media center and public library collection. Never preachy, Polacco's theme is clear to children as the touching story unfolds. You should have this one

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful for Christians and Jews, alike!, December 6, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Trees Of The Dancing Goats (Hardcover)

This is my favorite new book of this holiday season. Here
is a story for Christians and Jews alike...a story that
celebrates the spirit of humanity. Through her rich, lively
paintings, Polacco brings us a message of love, through the
friendship of two young girls, who although they do not
share the same religion and traditions, they in fact DO
share this one particular holiday season. Warm your heart
with joy as you read this story of two families and how we
truly are all one.