The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Paperback)

by Gloria Houston (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator) "It was getting toward Christmas in the valley of Pine Grove..." (more)
Key Phrases: tiny angel, heavenly angel, Old Piedy

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.

Review
"Glowing words and exquisite paintings help readers share this fictional Appalachian Christmas memory as if it were from their own family traditions...Timeless." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140558772
• ISBN-13: 978-0140558777
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,069 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Elizabeth (Cairo, Egypt) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Carolyn (Myrtle Beach, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (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.

12 of 12 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 (West Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Hardcover)

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!