Loading...
81st out of 264 books
—
377 voters
My rating:
add to my books
The Trees of the Dancing Goats
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 hou...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
October 1st 2000
by Aladdin
(first published 1996)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
241)
Kathryn
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone but especially those with Jewish and Christian blended families/friends
One of those truly heartwarming stories that focuses on what the holidays, religion, and humanity are supposed to be about (but manages not to sound preachy!) When illness strikes their Christian neighbors in a small farming community, Trisha's Jewish family (the only ones escaping the fever) helps deliver Christmas to the other homes, decorating small fir trees with some of the wooden animal toys that Trisha's grandfather carved for their Hanukkah celebration. A beautiful tale of love and frie...more
view all 5 comments
Before moving to Virginia, we had only read one or maybe two books by Patricia Polacco. But I saw that our girls' Elementary school seemed to really be enthralled with this author. I later found out that they had won an anti-bullying contest and earned a mural painted on their library wall by Patricia Polacco. Intrigued, we started to read more and more of her stories and we have loved every one so far. Her illustrations are so full of emotion and her narratives are very touching, very raw, ...more
Abigail
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone Looking for a Beautiful Christmas/Hanukkah Tale / Patricia Polacco Fans
The eight days of Hanukkah had always been one of Trisha's favorite times of the year. Her Ukrainian-born Babushka would make hand-dipped candles for the Menorah, and cook delicious latkes. Her Georgian-born Grandpa would carve colorful animals out of wood - presents for Trisha and her brother, Richard. Best of all, Momma would have two weeks off from her job as a school-teacher, and the entire family would be together on their Michigan farm! But when Trisha and her family learn that most of the...more
This is a very sweet story of... holidays, I guess, and neighborliness, presumably based upon an event in the author's life.
She and her family were preparing for Hanukkah when they realized that all their neighbors were sick with scarlet fever... and the kids were basically going to have no Christmas at all because they and their families were too sick to celebrate. Nobody wants to think of their friends as giving up their holiday, so Patricia's family, who was luckily all well, prep...more
She and her family were preparing for Hanukkah when they realized that all their neighbors were sick with scarlet fever... and the kids were basically going to have no Christmas at all because they and their families were too sick to celebrate. Nobody wants to think of their friends as giving up their holiday, so Patricia's family, who was luckily all well, prep...more
Chandra
rated it
Recommended to Chandra by:
Lisa, Kathryn, Abigail - thanks all!
Shelves:
christmas-holiday-winter,
picture-books
My first Polacco and very enjoyable I must say! I think I've always skipped over her because of some mistaken notion about very prolific picture book authors - which is truly ridiculous given that one of my very favorites (Mercer Mayer) might be one of the most prolific of all time.
This is the story of a Midwestern Jewish family eagerly preparing for Hanukkah. In the midst of their merriment they hear that many of their Christian neighbors have Scarlet fever and are therefore una...more
This is the story of a Midwestern Jewish family eagerly preparing for Hanukkah. In the midst of their merriment they hear that many of their Christian neighbors have Scarlet fever and are therefore una...more
Age:
Grades 1-3
Genre:
fiction
Diversity:
Religion
Illustrations:
Illustrations look like they were created with paint.
Personal response:
The book was sweet with the story about the love between neighbors and family. It compared the Jewish holiday traditions and Christmas traditions. The story also brings in a little excitement and uncertainty after the main character visits her friend's family (who have scarlet fever). The story shows t...more
Grades 1-3
Genre:
fiction
Diversity:
Religion
Illustrations:
Illustrations look like they were created with paint.
Personal response:
The book was sweet with the story about the love between neighbors and family. It compared the Jewish holiday traditions and Christmas traditions. The story also brings in a little excitement and uncertainty after the main character visits her friend's family (who have scarlet fever). The story shows t...more
Lisa Vegan
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
family Hanukkah and Christmas reading
Recommended to Lisa by:
Kathryn
After recently reading quite a few books by her, Patricia Polacco is now one of my favorite authors. Her picture books touch my heart in a way that no other children’s picture books have ever done. Her books are special gifts to readers of all ages.
This is a superb story about inter-faith friendship and being a good neighbor. The illustrations are wonderful. The title didn’t appeal to me but once I read the story I loved the title too.
I put this on my fiction shelf, but a...more
This is a superb story about inter-faith friendship and being a good neighbor. The illustrations are wonderful. The title didn’t appeal to me but once I read the story I loved the title too.
I put this on my fiction shelf, but a...more
I adore this book. I loved the message in this story to bring the holiday spirit to others in need regardless of whether or not they celebrate the holidays the same way as you. This is truly a heartwarming tale and I do appreciate that this book comes from Patricia Polacco’s real life events. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas I think you will enjoy this story.
I especially enjoyed feeling the closeness of this family and felt they were always this close even when it wasn’t th...more
I especially enjoyed feeling the closeness of this family and felt they were always this close even when it wasn’t th...more
I've never actually found a copy of this book; I should just order it from Amazon. It was published many years ago in the Lands End Christmas catalog and I've never forgotten it. It's a great story about being true neighbors. It's a beautifully written tale about a Jewish family that makes Christmas special for neighboring families who have been stricken by a flu epidemic. It made me cry.
Why is it that my favorite Christmas stories are the ones that make me cry?
Why is it that my favorite Christmas stories are the ones that make me cry?
Polacco applies her distinctive style here 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.
I dunno. Yes it's an important message and all, but to me it's more of a 'should read' than a 'want to read' - like so many of the 'classics' we were pushed to read in school. Neither the pictures, the story, or the idea charmed or delighted me. Sorry.
This book tells of a little Jewish girl who is preparing for the holidays. Many of the neighbors are sick. Even though they don't celebrate Christmas they cut down trees and deliver them to the neighbors, decorated.
Patricia Polacco reaches into her memory and then puts pen and brush to paper. Delightful stories, beautiful illustrations - a favorite author/illustrator. The Trees of the Dancing Goats can be added to the list.
I just love Patricia Polacco...she has amazing stories. Her stories always hit me in the heart and they never fail to bring a tear to my eye...
A wonderful story that could be used to teach family traditions and religious holdiays. It is a also a great story about the power of giving.
A great winter book. I love a book that shows service and love to others and this one did not disappoint. This is based on a memory of the author's.
Beautiful Story. This will stick with you. Patricia Polacco writes true stories from her childhood and this is one of those true stories.
Beautiful Christmas and Haunkkah story about families and cultures coming together in the face of adversity.
A Christmas story of love and kindness between different religions in a community. I really liked it.
Yes. This book is a vivid example of reaching out to others who are hurting despite differences.
I love this book, I can read it billions of times and not get bored of it!!!!!! <333333333333 8P
Not a Christmas story you hear often but definitely worth reading.
One of my favorite Patricia Polacco Books. Christmas and Chanukkah
Loved this book!
Scarlet fever is running through town, many are unable to prepare for the upcoming Christmas holiday. The Jewish family, who happens to be healthy, helps their neighbors by preparing food and bringing decorations.
This is a truly beautiful book. A moving story and it has beautiful illustrations. Thanks to Frank and Jane for giving us this book.
This is a great book that illustrates the true meaning of friendship and Christmas.
Laura Z
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
![Trees of the Dancing Goats [With *] (Hardcover)](http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267367651s/7273523.jpg)
