Review by New York Times Review
Charles and his friend Boggan - a cute red toboggan whose rope handle gives him a rather convincing smiling face - take a jaunt through snowy woods to find a "wish tree," though Charles's siblings insist there's no such thing. This ingeniously nondenominational tale brings a lovely serene pace to classic holiday themes like giving to others and gathering with dear ones. Perhaps most magical is Turnham's art, which somehow makes soft mauves, pinks and grays take on a holiday sparkle. THE GREAT SPRUCE By John Duvall. Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. 40 pp. Putnam. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Why do we chop down Christmas trees, anyway? Duvall is out to persuade readers to try a live tree. Alec loves climbing the tall spruce his grandpa planted, but a crew wants it for a city's holiday display. The boy suggests they "borrow" it, digging it up and replanting it later. He and Grandpa get rides on a barge with the tree and seats at the celebration, a sweet outcome for an act that's its own reward. Gibbon's loose art is just right, making the winter world look teeming, twinkling and homey. A HAT FOR MRS. GOLDMAN: A Story About Knitting and Love By Michelle Edwards. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 32 pp. Schwartz & Wade. $17.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) "Keeping keppies warm is our mitzvah," Mrs. Goldman tells her young neighbor. They make hats together: The older lady knits, Sophia does the pom-poms. But when she sees Mrs. Goldman without a hat - she gave hers away - Sophia decides to learn to knit. Edwards's ("Chicken Man") story is not explicitly about the holiday, but a Hanukkah message emanates from the celebration of winter mitzvahs, or kind deeds. Karas's ("As an Oak Tree Grows") adorable, radiant art adds to the heartwarming mood. THE CHRISTMAS BOOT By Lisa Wheeler. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, 32 pp. Dial. $17.99 (Picture book ages 4 to 8) A poor old woman named Hannah lives alone in a cabin in the woods. She finds a warm boot in the snow - just one - in this folksy fable about deprivation, abundance and the spirit of Christmas. Another boot appears, then mittens, and her cabin becomes "a big fancy house." But it's not right for her. A visitor comes - kids will happily guess who - to claim the boot but leave what Hannah really needs. As always, Pinkney's soft, colorful watercolors find deep beauty and interest in simple things. SUN MOON STAR By Kurt Vonnegut. Illustrated by Ivan Chermayeff. 64 pp. Seven Stories/Triangle Square. $22.95. (Picture book; ages 5 and up) Vonnegut's beguiling children's book, first published in 1980, spins the Nativity tale in a cerebral, humanist direction. "When the Creator of the Universe /. . . resolved to be born / as a male human infant," the situation is much like any baby's birth: An awed crowd materializes, the tiny one struggles to see. Yet it's also a celestial event, with the players angling to see the "real Christmas star" - playfully presented in the great designer Chermayeff's shifting, minimalist cutouts against jewel tones. ONLINE An expanded visual presentation of this week's column at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [December 11, 2016]
Review by Booklist Review
Charles wants to find a wish tree. Dismissed by his older brother and sister, Charles sets out with his faithful companion Boggan (a toboggan) on a quest through the winter woods. As they look for the special tree, they find animal tracks instead and end up helping squirrels, beavers, foxes, rabbits, owls, deer, mice, and other creatures as they prepare for winter. The sled's curving track throughout the illustrations emphasizes the circular structure of the text: the adventure begins in the morning, and as they travel, repeating sentences link each section together. When night falls, the animals unite to lead Charles to a special tree. The snowy white background changes to purple as the day comes to an end, and in the final frame, the light from Charles' house windows and a shining moon welcome the pair back home. Digital illustrations have the look of gouache and lino prints, with solid edges and soft colors. This sweet, magical story, with no decorations or specific mention of Christmas, would be a great choice for any winter celebration.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A boy named Charles traverses the winter woods in search of a "wish tree," accompanied by Boggan, his red toboggan. Along the way, they assist friendly animals in need: Charles uses Boggan to transport hazelnuts to Squirrel's tree, birch logs to Beaver's lodge, and berries to Fox's burrow, among other mini-missions. These generous expenditures of time cut into Charles's efforts to find the wish tree; as evening approaches, the animals repay his kindness by bringing him to a snow-covered pine tree in the woods. There, Charles hangs a wish on a branch, and the animals celebrate with an outdoor feast, complete with a hazelnut soufflé and birch tea. Newcomer Turnham brings a soft retro-meets-modern aesthetic to the pages in digital drawings that feature creamy snowdrifts accented by sunset shades of pale peach, pink, and violet. Along with Maclear's (The Good Little Book) gently repeating language and subtle anthropomorphism ("'La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,' sang Charles. 'Whishhhhh,' sang Boggan"), the result is a story that hums with understated everyday magic. Ages 2-4. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Charles's brother and sister tell him there is no such thing as a wish tree, but that doesn't stop him from taking his trusty sled Boggan on a quest to find one. Singing some notes of an unnamed song ("la-di-das" that can be applied to any tune, finished with Boggan's soothing "whishhhhh"), Charles optimistically sets off across a wintry landscape colored with pleasing, muted shades of blue-gray paths through the snow and tree branches of dusty rose. With the whole day ahead of them, the boy and his sled make frequent stops to help animals get food and supplies to their homes-wood to Beaver's lodge, berries to Fox's burrow, and so on. When Charles becomes weary and falls asleep on Boggan, the animals return the kindness by not only taking him to the wish tree-an unadorned white pine that exudes quiet magic and wonder-but also preparing a delicious night feast for all to share. VERDICT Not an overtly holiday story, but one that's full of warmth and cheer that only the best of friends and the spirit of giving can provide.-Joanna Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Charles sets off with his trusty friend, Boggan (a sled), in search of a wish tree, helping woodland creatures along the way (e.g., hauling hazelnuts for Squirrel). Maclear's contemplative text emphasizes the sights and sounds on their woodland journey rather than Charles's motivation or mysterious wish. The digital illustrations use a muted palette of slate and rose to evoke a winter sunset. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
