Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
A Wish to be a Christmas Tree
Illustrator: Michael Glenn Monroe
Board Book
For ages 4 to 6
Sleeping Bear Press, 2005 ISBN: 978-1585362691
More than anything else a large old pine tree wishes that someone would cut him down and take home so that he can have the joy and privilege of being a real Christmas tree. This has been his dream for many years now and his realizes that at this point it is unlikely that his dream is going to come true. For this reason he is very sad indeed, his icicle tears hanging on his snow covered branches for all to see.
What the tree does not realize is that there are many who are glad that he was never cut down and taken away. There are the animals which he has sheltered and protected over the years, and now these same animals want to do something for the tree to make him see that he is loved and appreciated.
This warm and touching story written in rhyme and lovingly illustrated just goes to show that there is more to Christmas than gift giving, and having a tree covered with decorations. There is something far more precious which we sometimes forget, and that something is the love and care that we have for one another. Christmas is a wonderful time to show one another how much we appreciate and are grateful for the people (and trees) in our lives.
