The Christmas Tree
by David Adams Richards | Children's Books | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 9780670065585 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 9780670065585 Global Overview for this book
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
3 journalers for this copy...
Lovely little hard cover. Canadian author.
As I was selecting books to read for The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, I decided I wanted to read a Canadian Christmas story at Christmas time. Originally, I had thought that I would re-read Stuart MacLean's "Dave Cooks the Turkey" because it never fails to make me laugh. But then I found this little treasure.
The cover blurbs suggested this "is a delightful book to give and receive, and will become a traditional holiday read for many years to come." Well, I don't think it will become my traditional holiday read. I already have two, Clement Clarke Moore's 'T Was the Night Before Christmas and Dr. Suess's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. But these are charming stories.
The first, "Carmichael's Dog" is the story of how two young brothers are sent out to play on Christmas Eve ("because our mother told us to get out from under her feet and not come back. At least until supper.") and they find a puppy stuck in the snow. They decide that the dog, whom one names Lucky Too and the other Lucky Two, will make a fine present for their mom. Neither of the boys suggest to the other that this dog might actually belong to somebody else, and neither of them is named Carmichael!
The second, "The Christmas Tree" is the story of how two brothers, now young adults, set out to perform their manly duty of "getting the tree". The tree has to come from, of course, the forest. No man worth his salt would be caught buying a tree from a tree lot although there was some talk of a silver tree having been sold at a mall once. Trouble is the brothers have left this until just about the last minute. They set out with a carload of relatives, including one young boy whom no one seems to know, on the evening of December 23rd in search of the perfect tree. Actually at this point it doesn't even have to be perfect - the author suggests that minor flaws can be appreciated as "defects that heightened beauty". And a whole lot goes wrong, not the least of which is the fact that no one thought to bring an axe.
Both of these stories reflect the wonder and joy of a child at Christmas and of a time long past. They are related in an adult voice but clearly by an adult who remembers that joy and, in the telling of these stories, gifts that joy to us.
This is my twelfth book by a Canadian male author for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh? and my 24th overall.
The cover blurbs suggested this "is a delightful book to give and receive, and will become a traditional holiday read for many years to come." Well, I don't think it will become my traditional holiday read. I already have two, Clement Clarke Moore's 'T Was the Night Before Christmas and Dr. Suess's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. But these are charming stories.
The first, "Carmichael's Dog" is the story of how two young brothers are sent out to play on Christmas Eve ("because our mother told us to get out from under her feet and not come back. At least until supper.") and they find a puppy stuck in the snow. They decide that the dog, whom one names Lucky Too and the other Lucky Two, will make a fine present for their mom. Neither of the boys suggest to the other that this dog might actually belong to somebody else, and neither of them is named Carmichael!
The second, "The Christmas Tree" is the story of how two brothers, now young adults, set out to perform their manly duty of "getting the tree". The tree has to come from, of course, the forest. No man worth his salt would be caught buying a tree from a tree lot although there was some talk of a silver tree having been sold at a mall once. Trouble is the brothers have left this until just about the last minute. They set out with a carload of relatives, including one young boy whom no one seems to know, on the evening of December 23rd in search of the perfect tree. Actually at this point it doesn't even have to be perfect - the author suggests that minor flaws can be appreciated as "defects that heightened beauty". And a whole lot goes wrong, not the least of which is the fact that no one thought to bring an axe.
Both of these stories reflect the wonder and joy of a child at Christmas and of a time long past. They are related in an adult voice but clearly by an adult who remembers that joy and, in the telling of these stories, gifts that joy to us.
This is my twelfth book by a Canadian male author for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh? and my 24th overall.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Texas as a holiday surprise to a fellow BookCrosser whom I'm beginning to think is Santa Claus herself. Happy Holidays!
On its way to Texas as a holiday surprise to a fellow BookCrosser whom I'm beginning to think is Santa Claus herself. Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Pooker3 for sending me this book as part of the HGG. I will be adding it to my TBR pile to read. When I read it I will then release it out again. I already have a plan that includes this book. Thank you for thinking of me as Santa Claus - I am not, but I do so love "giving"!
finally got around to reading this book - it gave me a cozy, warm feeling. Now to continue on it's journey.....
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Chocolate, Tea and Books RABCK winner
“Christmas is a feeling that lasts all year long” RABCK
I wanted to share that feeling with as many of my BC friends as I could so that is why you are receiving this book.
I hope that you will enjoy what I have picked for you, that you will read it, journal it and then release it!
Hugs to all my BC friends
54 THINGS TO DO IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BRANSON CARD: Joker, The Magic of Peter The Adequate
Chocolate, Tea and Books RABCK winner
“Christmas is a feeling that lasts all year long” RABCK
I wanted to share that feeling with as many of my BC friends as I could so that is why you are receiving this book.
I hope that you will enjoy what I have picked for you, that you will read it, journal it and then release it!
Hugs to all my BC friends
54 THINGS TO DO IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BRANSON CARD: Joker, The Magic of Peter The Adequate
Received from shemchin as part of the CT&B RABCK. I'll enjoy this one a bit closer to the holidays. Thanks!
In the book exchange library, upstairs to the right.
