Children’s Book Review: Theodore the Tree
December 11, 2009 by Karlynn Johnston
Filed under Book Nook
Done in the fashion of the truly timeless Christmas tale, Theodore the Christmas tree is about a misfit finding a family. All Theodore has ever wanted was to be the perfect Christmas tree. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the picture of ideal beauty, he was short, his branches were funny and he even has a bald spot!
One day though, a family finally does choose him and happily brings him home to be their Christmas tree, and Theodore gets to know the ornaments that are hung on his imperfect branches.The decorations too, are not perfect, whether it be in personality or appearance. The story of the family is told through the eyes and experiences of the Christmas ornaments hung on the tree, each celebrating a milestone or important memory in the family’s life.
This book is one about compassion, acceptance and loving who you are, not who you think you should be. Theodore doesn’t think he was Christmas tree material, yet the Mom and Dad who chose him certainly did, and placed him front and center in their living room. Nina Seven’s illustrations are entertaining, bright and the bold colors are perfect for this Christmas book. Children learn about how not to judge what something looks like and instead, look beneath to find the beauty within. It also reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes!
This is an incredibly heartwarming book for young and old, and one that will certainly become a Christmas favorite with your young readers!
Reading level: ages 4 and up
Page Count: 32 pages
Publisher: Big Think Media, Inc.
What to expect: beautiful and engaging illustrations, a heartwarming Christmas story, a good underlying moral to the story,
Publisher’s synopsis: From the time Theodore was a sapling, all he wanted was to be the perfect Christmas tree. But he knew he was too short and his lopsided limbs would never do. He spent every spare moment learning to hide his most distressing features. One Christmas Eve he spied a family trudging through the forest looking for a Christmas tree. Theodore employed all of his tricks. They worked! But once home and decorated, the children shun him. Dejected and droopy, Theodore learns a heartwarming lesson about what it means to be part of a family. A tender story for all ages.
About the Author: Maribeth Stephens started her career writing for radio and television news, but for years harbored a secret desire to write children’s books. With Theodore the Tree, Stephens expresses her belief that children’s books aren’t just for children – their meanings, messages, and images touch hearts of all ages.
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