The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Picture Puffin Books)

It is a sweet story a family's life in the Appalachian Mt in the 1930-1940. It's theme is self-sacrifice for the love of family. It is a oral hand me down story passed down to the author by her grandmother.

I am a devoted Barbara Cooney fan, so I knew at the outset I would love this book. Her illustrations do not disappoint — they are detailed and beautiful, and so true to her style. The story is also so touching, of sacrifice and service. It started some great conversations with my kids (ages 6 and 9) about what life was like in the past, wartime, poverty, etc. It helped us to recognize our blessings and abundance at Christmastime. And of course the ending is exactly what you hope it will be. This is a new favorite book in our Christmas collection.

A wonderful story! Great to add to the Christmas collection.

Excellent book.

I used to borrow this picture book from the local library every Christmas but the pandemic limited library service to curbside. So I decided to buy it this year and at 7.99 (paperback) it's worth every penny. The art and story have that old fashioned, lyrical quality that you expect from traditional picture book. This is a fleshed out Christmas story with illustration, not a "slice of life" presentation with cute rhyming scheme or gimmick art you see in current picture books in the market. If you have a tradition of reading short Christmas stories like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the Gift of Magi at the end of the year for that holiday experience, you should give this book a try. The plot is simple but elegant and Barbara Cooney's artwork is just sublime. It has good artistic and aesthetic value. It might be long for some younger readers but elementary students who can handle longer PBs (Patricia Polacco) may enjoy it.

All-time favorite Christmas book !!!!

Cute story, beautiful illustrations

It’s definitely too long for my 1 year old to listen to in one sitting. However m, I really love this book, will be one of our Christmas reads for years to come. Plus, we live in the area that is the setting for the story which makes it that much better.

Loved the story and the illustrations. Well done.

O livro tem ilustrações belíssimas. Vale muito a pena.

Un racconto di una famiglia in sofferenza a causa della guerra, e di come il Natale sia momento di unione e di amore. Ai miei bambini è piaciuto moltissimo.

The cutest story. Barbara Cooney is an amazing illustrator. The pictures are perfect and it has a really great storyline

ちょっと前の時代の素朴な生活が見えてきます 今とは随分と違うと思いますが、 この本から感じ取るものは色々･･･ クリスマスを静かにゆったりと 一緒にいたい人と味わいたくなるかもしれません 絵も綺麗です 絵もゆっくり、どうぞお楽しみ下さい なお、絵本ですが文章量は、そこそこあります 英語では、小学生になってから、位かもしれません クリスマスをゆっくりお楽しみ下さい