This tale is narrated by an anthropomorphic, talking Christmas tree that describes its life cycle from seedling through a Christmas season as a decorated tree and then on to full growth as a tall evergreen.
The tree marks its growth through all sorts of weather and recounts the different birds that have nested in its branches. One year, in late fall, workers with chain saws cut down the surrounding trees, but the narrating tree is too small, so it is dug up and taken to the sales lot as a living tree. A family purchases the tree, decorating it for Christmas and then planting it in their yard. The final illustration shows the immense, full-grown tree, who has had “a long and beautiful life.” Ascribing human emotions to the narrator tree strains credulity, and the sadness attributed to the cut trees will make anyone with that sort of tree in the house feel guilty. Serviceable illustrations in double-page spread format adequately support the text, but the narrating tree never truly takes root as a real character.
Talking Christmas trees really aren't a good idea for a children's book. (Picture book. 4-7)
