Rory the Dinosaur Needs a Christmas Tree

Rory the Dinosaur #3

by Liz Climo

When Rory the Dinosaur starts to get excited for Christmas, he notices that his island home doesn't exactly have the best trees around for a festive holiday feel. So he and his dad set out to decorate their home the best way they can--but without the perfect tree Rory is worried that Christmas will be ruined! Can Rory and his friends save the spirit of the season?


Comic artist Liz Climo looks at the true meaning of the holidays--spending time with friends and having the love and support of your family--even in a place without any snow or evergreens to speak of.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Dinosaurs, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2017

About the author

Liz Climo grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Los Angeles after college to work as a character artist on The Simpsons. She started a comic blog, LizClimo.tumblr.com, where Rory and his dad first appeared in 2012. Liz currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Colin, and their daughter, Marlow.

Liz Climo is a character artist for The Simpsons TV series and has worked on The Lebrons and Seth Macfarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy. She also the author of Le Petit Monde de Liz, a comic collection published in France as well as a forthcoming children’s book. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Abigail]

Rory the little dinosaur, whose story began in Rory the Dinosaur: Me and My Dad , and continued in Rory the Dinosaur Wants a Pet , returns in this third picture-book devoted to his continuing adventures. As he and his dad prepare for Christmas, our prehistoric hero realizes that what he really needs is a tree under which he can put presents. But does his island home have the right kind of arboreal decoration, and does it make a difference to the holiday if it doesn't...?

As with its predecessors, Rory the Dinosaur Needs a Christmas Tree features an engaging tale of a young dinosaur and his loving relationship with his father. I appreciated the conclusion of the story, which emphasizes that it isn't the tree - or any other physical trapping - that makes Christmas the holiday it is. As a consequence, when Rory's wish for a tree is granted, but in a most unusual way, it is apparent that the true gift is his father's love for him. The artwork is bright and colorful, with a simple, cartoon-style that suits the story. Recommended to all fans of Rory's ongoing adventures, and to anyone looking for picture-books about the father-son bond and/or the true Christmas spirit.

[Lata]

Rory and his dad are totally adorable looking for a Christmas tree. Cute, simple illustrations, and bold colours, and a sweet story.

[Melisande]

https://accrocdeslivres.blogspot.com/...

[Chance Lee]

Rory the dinosaur is so cute it hurts. In this story, he learns that Christmas is about celebrating the holidays with loved ones. We've heard that message enough. But this book is so cute, I didn't really mind. It's nice to see a little character with a loving, single dad, a character still a little rare in children's books.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker]

‘When Rory the Dinosaur starts to get excited for Christmas, he notices that his island home doesn’t exactly have the best trees around for a festive holiday feel. So he and his dad set out to decorate their home the best way they can–but without the perfect tree Rory is worried that Christmas will be ruined! Can Rory and his friends save the spirit of the season?’
I adored this book…
This beautiful children’s book will get you and your family in the mood for Christmas. This fantastic book has an amazing, sweet story that is perfectly complimented by wonderful illustrations.
The Christmas spirit is alive and well in this amazingly beautiful children’s book.
As an adult reading this book I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved it. I was smiling from start to finish and was left with the warm and fuzzy’s.
Given how much I loved this book I can only imagine the pure joy it will bring to young readers and their families.
With Christmas just around the corner, this book is the perfect gift for young readers. All of the children in my life will be getting a copy of this truly beautiful book this Christmas.
Rory The Dinosaur Needs A Christmas Tree by Liz Climo is a must have book this festive season.

Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Alina Cristea]

Adorable characters, lovely story. :-)

[Trần Quốc Tuấn]

Hehe :D Picture-book's awesome :3

[Brona's Books]

I had resisted the charms of Rory and his dad - the simple drawings on the covers did not draw me in - but there was something about the joyful look on Rory's face as he was being tossed in the air by his Santa hat wearing dad that warmed the cockles of my heart this Christmas.

So I opened the book.

Oh, oh, oh, what an utter delight I found inside!

How Climo manages to convey sooooo much emotion with little dot eyes is beyond me, but I'm completely heartbroken for Rory who realises he has to make do this Christmas without a Christmas tree. He and his devoted dad do everything they can to make it happen, but it doesn't work. The look on Rory's face as he goes to bed gazing at the spot in the loungeroom (with longing) where the tree should be just breaks my heart every single time I read the book (yes, I have read it multiple times this past month!)

Oh, oh, oh, but Rory's dad!!!
He wins the best dad in the whole wide world award for how he solves the problem.
It's a delightful laugh out loud, hug the book to your chest moment. You then immediately want to share the book with as many people as possible, to share the joy of Christmas with as many people as possible.

I am a doubter no longer.

I have gone back to read the previous two Rory books and they are just as delightful and sweet.

Do yourself a favour and check them out now!

[Meredith]

Rory the Dinosaur and his father search their tropical island for a suitable Christmas tree.

"Christmas isn't really about the tree. It's about celebrating with family and friends and being with the ones you love."

Rory and his father search their island for a Christmas tree, but they are unsuccessful and return home empty-handed. When Rory's father sees his son's disappointment, he comes up with a creative solution, decorating himself as the Christmas tree.

Readers who enjoy this book may also enjoy Mooseltoe, which has a similar plot and ending.

This story shows a parent's love for a child. It also has a moral that emphasizes Christmas togetherness over material objects. When I first this book with my preschooler, my child interjected "No, it's about presents" when Rory said that Christmas isn't about the tree, so this is obviously a moral that can stand repeating.

[Becky B]

Rory and his Dad scour their tropical island for just the right Christmas tree. But Christmas trees are really hard to find on a tropical island. Will they have to do Christmas without a tree?

Wow, what a realistic problem for someone in the tropics. I like that Rory realizes that having a Christmas tree isn't what should define whether he has a good Christmas or not, that there are more important things. The Christmas tree solution is a creative one. And the story is cute and sweet, with a loving father doing all he can to give his son his Christmas wish. A sweet Christmas story option.

[A Allen]

This is the first "Rory" book I've read, but I will certainly be looking into more. Seems Rory is growing up in a single-parent household and with a father figure at that, which is a unique type of book! I loved the ending. I enjoyed the illustrations too, especially the stockings with dinosaur toes. I would've given this book an additional star if it weren't for the Santa reference. The Santa bit was tiny, but my family doesn't "do" Santa and I was hoping this book wouldn't touch on it.

[Theresa]

I love Liz Climo's work. I have all of her books and give her calendars away for Xmas. In this book Rory and his dad decorate for Xmas to invite all of Rory's friends to celebrate with them. But when they look for a tree they can't find one that will do. Even though his friends come over and they have a splendid time, when it's time for bed, Rory still wants a Xmas tree. When he wakes up he finds out the his dad has found an ingenious way to give him a tree.

[Elizabeth]

Just perfect for story time today! With a nod to Dinovember just gone by and a sloth dressed in Christmas lights on the first spread (we have a sloth theme going for our holiday raffle at the library this year, hurray!)
The delightful story is about the lengths that a parent will go so that their child experiences the magic of Christmas. (This got giggles from the kids!)
The last page is the best: "being with the ones you love".

[Shanna]

I love Liz Climo’s illustrations. She does a great job of capturing simple moments with cute little animals. In this one, Rory the dinosaur and his dad go out to find a Christmas tree. They look far and wide. They find ones that are too small or too big or just won’t work. Will they ever find the perfect tree? And is that what celebrating Christmas is about anyway? Find out!

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 274

[Craig Curtis]

Rory the dinosaur and his Dad go looking for a Christmas tree. His tight-arse Dad finds a creative solution to their dilemma which teaches Rory the true meaning of Christmas.

Most Christmas movies take 1.5 hours to tell you Christmas is all about spending time with the people you love. This gets to the point in 40 easy to read pages. Forgo the Netflix and read this.

[Pam]

Rory and his dad set out to find a Christmas tree - the last item they need to decorate. Unfortunately, none of the trees they find on the island will work. Rory wakes up to a surprise on Christmas morning with what may be the best tree ever. The loving relationship between the two come through clearly.

[Jessica]

I like these Rory the dinosaur books and Rory and his dad, but this one was missing something. It said the whole point of Christmas was family and spending time with them, and while that is an important part of Christmas, it's not the most important part. The most important part is that Jesus came down and was born ultimately to take away our sins.

[Vicki]

Such a sweet story about family and friends, and oh maybe a holiday! Slightly reminds me of Bert from Merry Christmas from Sesame Street - the Christmas Pageant song.

Comfortable and colorful illustrations.

[Claire]

Super cute. Rory's dad is awesome! Although it was funny when they put their winter gear on! They live on what appears to be a tropical island. But they are cute wandering around in their scarf and ear muffs.

[Juliana Lee]

Rory and his dad search for the perfect Christmas tree but come home empty handed. Rory forgets about the tree when his friends come caroling. They eat and play games until late in the night. In the morning, Rory finds the best Christmas tree ever... his dad!

[Danielle]

One surprise moment in this book really makes it shine.

[Susan]

There's a sloth in it!

[Megan Farve]

Loved this book. SO cute!

[Jennifer]

Adorable! I love Rory and his dad. What a great story for single parents to read.

[Liz C]

The ending is just too adorable. Anything by Liz Climo is top!

[Christine D]

Love love love
adorable, squee-lishous, and the true meaning of Christmas with the wonderful illustrations by Climo.
Love love love
There is nothing more to say!

[Ann]

ALL OF THE CUTE. Good depiction of single father/son family too.

[Gail]

Adorable!

[AnneMarie]

I love this book!!!! so cute. I love the pictures and how simply the story is but a good one. I adore the love in this book.

[Pug]

Another cute Rory the dinosaur story. Funny little pictures of cute little animals.