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33rd out of 132 books
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The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story
Acclaimed author Gloria Houston has written a tale that is as joyful and timeless as Christmas itself. Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor. "A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality".--Kirkus Reviews. Publisher's Wee...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
October 1st 1996
by Puffin Books
(first published 1988)
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Ruthie lives in a Pine Grove - a tiny Appalachian town with a long standing tradition in which one family donates a Christmas tree for the entire town to enjoy. This particular year that honor belongs to Ruthie and her family. She and her father select their tree in the early spring and mark it with a red ribbon. But then Ruthie's father has to go fight in the 'Great War'. With Christmas just around the corner it's up to Ruthie and her mother to make sure the town isn't disappointed.
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Although this book was published in 1988, I didn't discover it until 1995, when my youngest was 3 years old. We first read it from the Mercer Public Library, but we checked it out so many times, I finally had a local bookstore order it for us. The library was kind enough to laminate the dust jacket for us.
Ruthie has been waiting patiently for her father to return from the war. As Christmas approaches, Ruthie's mother begins to worry about the Christmas tree tradition in their small A...more
Ruthie has been waiting patiently for her father to return from the war. As Christmas approaches, Ruthie's mother begins to worry about the Christmas tree tradition in their small A...more
This was one of those incredibly happy coincidences you could never explain. I was working in Asheville, NC and every year for Christmas I bought a book for the young daughter of a friend of mine. I started with "The Polar Express" and who knew how that would mushroom? This was the year I ordered this one from a catalog because I liked the title. Imagine my suprise and delight when I peeked inside on its arrival to discover it was set in western North Carolina. I had been through many ...more
The pictures by Barbara Cooney in this book were very nice, soft and cozy-looking.
The story itself was ok, but the writing was a little too Appalachian for me. I didn't like the repetitiveness of some of the phrases: "my pretty young'un", "tip tip top", "the color of cream, all trimmed with ribbons and lace", and "kissed the dimple in each of Ruthie's cheeks". I know that kind of thing is eesential to a children's book, but I just found it an...more
The story itself was ok, but the writing was a little too Appalachian for me. I didn't like the repetitiveness of some of the phrases: "my pretty young'un", "tip tip top", "the color of cream, all trimmed with ribbons and lace", and "kissed the dimple in each of Ruthie's cheeks". I know that kind of thing is eesential to a children's book, but I just found it an...more
This is a heartwrenching tale of a remote village in the Appalachians, during a particularly tough time. The war was raging, taking the father away, there was no money for presents or costumes for the Christmas play, and then there was the problem of delivering the perfect Christmas tree... It's a somber tale, but one of sacrifice, hope, determination and love. And it made me tear up just a little as I read it. Such a nice story, complete with gorgeous illustrations by Barbara Cooney.
Ok, so I took over at a library with an easy fiction collection that has A LOT of classic and older books in it. I am angry about that. However, every once in a while, I do find a gem. This Chrsitmas book is one that I brought home with some others becuase my kids wanted some more Christmas books. While this book was too long for my 2 year old, it was great for me! I loved this story! Not one I would read aloud because I think most kids would get bored, but I really liked it!
Captivating tale of the tradition of a small Appalachian village where it is the custom for one family each year to donate the town Christmas tree. The self same year the child of the family will be the Christmas angel in the Christmas pageant. Ruthie and her father find and tag the tree early in the year before he is recruited and sent off to WWI. The town now doubts Ruthie and her mother's ability to provide the tree. I nearly cry every time I read this the ending is so touching!
Such a wonderful story, and yes, it made me cry. In the spring, Ruthie and her father search for the perfect Christmas tree to give the village on Christmas Eve. They find it on the top of the rocky craigs and mark it with a ribbon. But when Ruthie's father has to go off to fight in World War I, there is nobody to get the Christmas tree. But with miracles and sacrifice, the village not only gets the perfect Christmas tree, but Ruthie gets the perfect Christmas.
Every year in the small community that Ruthie lives in, one family is responsible for the town's Christmas tree. This year Ruthie's family is to provide it. With her father off fighting in the Great War, will Ruthie and her mother be able to get the tree that Ruthie and her father selected in time for the Christmas service at church?
Beautiful Christmas story with a great message about family. This is going to be one I share with my students for years to come.
Beautiful Christmas story with a great message about family. This is going to be one I share with my students for years to come.
It’s Ruth’s family’s turn to give the perfect Christmas tree for the village and it’s Ruthie’s turn to be the angel in the Christmas play. But how will this happen when Ruthie’s father is away at the war and there is no money for angel clothes? Best part: when Ruthie thought the doll felt just like the silk stockings her father had sent her mother. Ages 5-12.
This book was a very heart-warming story about a poor family who brought the perfect Christmas tree for Christmas that year. This would be a good read-aloud to the middle and upper grade levels just because it's a bit lengthy. I would include this with my holiday collection. It can definitely be used to talk about Christmas or one of the many December holidays.
Megan
rated it
Recommends it for:
2nd-4th grade
Recommended to Megan by:
"Christmas Read Alouds" Library Sparks December 2011
3 1/2 stars
Ruthie's family must provide the town's Christmas tree, and Ruthie is to be the angel in the Christmas pageant. But with Ruthie's father fighting in the war, how can they create a happy Christmas?
Sweet and predictable, but that's forgiveable in Christmas stories. The mention of several different Appalachian carols is a nice touch.
Ruthie's family must provide the town's Christmas tree, and Ruthie is to be the angel in the Christmas pageant. But with Ruthie's father fighting in the war, how can they create a happy Christmas?
Sweet and predictable, but that's forgiveable in Christmas stories. The mention of several different Appalachian carols is a nice touch.
I love books with the Appalachian setting. This children's Christmas story is a beauitiful representation of mountain life and lore. It's focus on family and simplicity, along with charming illustrations, make it my favoite Christmas book and a very special addition to my Appalachian collection.
a TEAR jerker of a book about the hopes of a little girl for her family to get back together for christmas, but daddy is late, caught up at the end of the war, longer then the other fathers in the neighborhood. and Momma is left to fix things the way that daddy promised.
I remember reading this book back when I was a child, so when I saw it on a Goodreads list for the best holiday books, I had to read it again. Frankly, I had completely forgotten about it. I loved this super sweet story about the perfect Christmas tree and a family's love for one another. Always a treasure to read at Christmas time.
the kids and i loved this book about a traditional Appalachian Christmas set post wartime. i might have teared up when Ruthie's mama cut up her own wedding dress to sew an angel costume for her and a matching dress for her doll.
One of my all-time favorites! I've loved this since I was a little girl. It is a great story, and it has absolutely gorgeous pictures. I love that it is set in the Appalachians - I feel like I have a closer connection with it.
This is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations. I cried the first time I read it and my boys have begged me not to cry again during subsequent readings. I love the message and the joyful ending. A great Christmas story!
This is a must for your Christmas collection. It's a great story that's original, and has marvilous illistrations. Very heart warming and emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas in several ways.
This is one of my very picture-book family stories, Christmas or otherwise. Heartfelt, unselfish love, family, Appalachian life in World War I, such beautiful connections!
This book is a Christmas must-read. The story is delightful and pictures charming. It made me want to live in the Appalachian mountains.
This one was sweet. A little bit saccharine maybe, but sweet. I don't think many boys would like it, but most girls would.
Wanting Daddy to come home for Christmas....a child's wish in 1918 still is true today.
A beautiful Christmas story with those irresistible illustrations from Barbara Cooney.
Teresa (Read All Over Reviews)
rated it
Found myself getting misty-eyed by the end. Would make a great Christmas film :)
WWI is backstory for country family whose father is drafted to the war
H-C-Hou
I love to read about how Christmas is celebrated--my youth was hard and I hated Christmas season--I love the fact that the Saviour was born but can't seem to get into worldly celebration--this book helps me know why we celebrate.
Simply said by the School Library Journal: "A prefect and timeless story of a very perfect Christmas. Glowing words, exquisite paintings - a joy to read aloud." I didn't read it aloud, but a joy to read none the less.
this is one of my all-time favorite books and is right up there with the Polar Express for making me cry every time I read it. I enjoy reading it aloud and hope my boys will enjoy hearing it each Christmas.
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Gloria Houston, like her great-aunt Arizona, is both a teacher and a native of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Houston taught students of all ages—from kindergarten through twelfth grade—for over fifteen years. Ms. Houston has written several books for children, including the best-selling My Great-Aunt Arizona, illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb; The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tr...more
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