________________ CM . . . . Volume VII Number 20 . . . . June 8, 2001

cover One Special Tree.

Olena Kassian.
Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2000.
32 pp., pbk., $7.99.
ISBN 0-439-98767-9.

Grades Preschool - 2 / Ages 4 - 7.

Review by Lorraine Douglas.

*** /4

excerpt:

"I'll never forget the Christmas of The tree.

It started out like any other Christmas. Outside, a deep quilting of snow made the world seem quiet and peaceful. Inside, our excitement was growing. There was so much to do, and so much to look forward to! Like buying our tree."

image Zoe and Stefan go with their parents to the tree lot where they plan to buy the perfect Christmas tree. After much searching, Zoe sets her heart on a wretched looking tree because she knows that no one will ever take this reject home. Her brother agrees, and her understanding parents agree to bring the tree home, saying that it will look better when the branches settle. The next day in the house the tree looks even worse. The parents then say it just needs a lot of decorations. The children set to work creating tons of paper ornaments. When they step back from the decorated tree, they notice there is no tip for the star. Stefan then thinks of placing his gingerbread house on top, and it works beautifully. They realize that, although the tree is not "perfect" it is still very special. At the end of the book are instructions for making the folded paper snowflake ornaments.

      This lovely story could be shared with a group of children at a Christmas Tree Trim program, and then they could make the snowflake ornaments. The text on the left hand side of the book is nicely bordered with Christmas tree lights. The full colour illustrations on the right hand side are done in pastels on sanded pastel paper, and they are as warm and inviting as this beautiful story. This is a refreshing story as it is a nice antidote to the ideas of perfection that abound at Christmas, and it presents a sympathetic and sensitive family.

Recommended.

Lorraine Douglas is the Coordinator of Youth Services at the Winnipeg Public Library.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - June 8, 2001.

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