Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Synopsis
Sweet illustrations and simple language bring the holidays to life for the youngest of children.
At Christmastime, a tree from the outside comes inside, just waiting to be decorated. And did you know that some of the tree’s ornaments are inspired by outdoor things, too — like a snowflake, a ball, a bird, and a star? Spare language and luminous collage paintings offer a fresh, inviting look at well-loved traditions.
Children's Literature
Many of the ornaments we place on our Christmas trees have their origins in nature and Martin's book presents examples of that. Ornaments can be sleds, snowflakes and stars. They can be small animals such as birds, squirrels and rabbits. The picture on the left-hand page shows the item in a natural setting. On the right-hand page it is seen as a Christmas tree ornament. This board book concludes with three double-page spreads. The first shows the family looking out the window at all the items in their yard. The next one shows them gathered around the trimmed tree. The final one presents the family outdoors on a snowy night. For the youngest listeners, this is a solid vocabulary builder. While very young children may not discern the differences between the "real" animal outdoors and the ornament, they will recognize the object. Parents can point to the object as they read the book, and discuss what else is going on in the pictures. The text is simple enough that a beginning reader can share the book with a toddler sibling. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo