Overview
Mr. Crockett is neither handsome nor fashionable, but he knows a secret—all things need love and care. With years of attention and patience, he transforms his shabby brownstone into an elegant home and brings a scrawny, neglected tree to life, teaching his critical neighbors that beauty can be found in unexpected places.
Yan Nascimbene’s striking illustrations breathe new life into this holiday classic, originally published in 1972, that gently captures the true meaning of Christmas.
Although his elegant neighbors do not appreciate his efforts, a kind old man transforms his rundown house and nurtures a small neglected pine tree, making them the best on the street.
Synopsis
Mr. Crockett is neither handsome nor fashionable, but he knows a secret—all things need love and care. With years of attention and patience, he transforms his shabby brownstone into an elegant home and brings a scrawny, neglected tree to life, teaching his critical neighbors that beauty can be found in unexpected places.
Yan Nascimbene’s striking illustrations breathe new life into this holiday classic, originally published in 1972, that gently captures the true meaning of Christmas.
Kirkus Reviews
Nascimbene tackles Zolotow's 1972 story, providing delicate pen-and-watercolor illustrations in pale blue and tan. Mr. Crockett, described by the neighbors as "a peculiar man," buys the long empty brownstone, and sets about washing windows and fixing it up. He digs up the small square of soil in front, and buys a wizened little pine languishing in the flower shop. He nurtures it through the winter, and when spring comes he plants the tree, remarkably bigger and more robust, outside; as years pass it becomes a majestic pine, the glory of the neighborhood. The illustrator's vision is rather austere and remote; even when the children assemble at the tree for its finest hour, the perspective is distant. Nevertheless, the quiet story endures, as does its message. (Picture book. 4-8)