Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Bella's Tree
Illustrator: Jirina Marton
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Groundwood Books, 2009 ISBN: 0888998708
Bella lives with her Nan and their dog Bruno. Nan is starting to get old and this year she cannot go out to cut down the family Christmas tree. Convinced that she can do the job because she is “big and strong and smart and well coordinated,” Bella takes on the job.
Unfortunately, for Bella, she does not know that a Christmas tree is not just any old tree. First she brings home an alder tree. Then she brings come a spruce tree. Then she brings home a pine tree. By the time she gets the right tree, a fir tree, it is Christmas Eve night and Nan is in bed asleep. Bella feels bad because all the decorations have been used up to decorate the “less deserving trees,” but then something special happens and Bella and Nan experience their own little Christmas miracle.
Written with delicious language and delightful imagery, this picture book will delight readers of all ages. It captures that special touch of magic that only really appears during Christmas.
