The Tale of Three Trees

The Tale of Three Trees is usually brought out for Christmas and/or Easter.  It is a little late for both, but today is Arbor Day and what better way to celebrate trees than read about three very important trees.  Now I realize the purpose of Arbor Day is to plant trees.  This story is about cutting them down, but it is about a lot more than that.  This book will have little interest to those who are not Christian, although the message is relevant to all.  It is about three trees with big dreams.  The first one hopes to be used to make a wondrous treasure chest to hold great riches.  The second one dreams of becoming a magnificent sailing ship to carry great kings.  The third wishes to grow tall so that people will look up and think of God.  When three woodcutters climb their hill to cut them down, the first two are excited that their dreams are about to come true.  The third tree has a little more trouble seeing her potential as her greatest wish seems to be dashed.  Although each tree doesn't end up as they originally dreamed, each fulfills the purpose they hoped for.  The first is carved into a manger, holding the greatest treasure the world has ever seen.  The second is made into a simple fishing boat that carries the King of Kings as he calms the waters.  The third is made into the cross that forever stands as a reminder of God and his great sacrifice.  As each tree serves an important role in the life of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that God has a plan for us.  Even when we can't see the big picture, it doesn't mean there isn't one.  We all have the potential to do great things if only we dare to dream.  This book is a must for every Christian library.  It has a great message that can inspire all.  Happy reading!

Thursday Three: Valentine's Picture Books

So none of these books are strictly Valentine's stories, but they all have a love element to them.  As with every holiday (except Christmas), I tend to lean toward the books that are displayed with the holiday books, but not exactly holiday themed. 
1.  Falling for Rapunzel
This is such a cute and funny book.  It is an hilarious twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale.  When the prince calls up to her, Rapunzel repeatedly mishears him.  This book will have you laughing at every page turn.  It is just so much fun.  When the prince finally rides off into the sunset, he is heading off to his happily ever after with Rapunzel's maid instead of the princess herself.  The ending is just so funny too.  Rapunzel walks down and opens her door, only showing the entire ridiculous exercise was all for naught.  I did a bad job talking it up, but it is definitely a "princess" book everyone should read.  It is SOOO cute and funny.  Definitely one of my favorite picture books.
2.  The Kiss That Missed
Now this is a cute bedtime story.  While there is no romance element to this tale, it does involve an important kiss.  When the King comes in to bid his son goodnight, he hastily blows him a kiss instead of going to kiss him on the cheek.  Unfortunately, the kiss ends up going out the window.  The Prince cannot go to sleep without the kiss, so the Knight is summoned to track it down.  He must brave the scary forest, battle a dragon and overcome his fears, all to bring the goodnight kiss home.  The illustrations are just adorable.  This is definitely a bedtime story worth reading.
3. Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story
This story should be included in everyone's collection simply for the banjo playing, crooning porcupine.  This poor little guy lives in a petting zoo and longs to be loved and cuddled just like all his neighbors.  Since love isn't coming to him, he sets out in search of it.  At every turn he is scorned and sent packing.  That is, until he meets a lovely lady hedgehog.  She doesn't find him unpleasant at all.  This story has cute illustrations and a fun little song on almost every page.  I think this book might be out of print, but I'm sure you can find it at your local library at the very least.  It is definitely worth a read.

Tuesday Talk: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

My favorite Christmas book is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  For me, this is a must read.  I reread it every year.  When I was single, it was a Christmas Eve tradition for me to read it before I went to bed.  Now, with a family, I don't quite have the time on Christmas Eve anymore.  Instead I read it, a chapter or two at a time, the week before Christmas.  I have every intention of reading it to my daughter, in full, when she is older.  Every year.    It is such a fantastic book.  A couple years ago the author put out a picture book version.  For those of you who don't want to invest the time for the complete chapter book, or whose children are too young to pay attention for 40 pages without illustrations, I recommend it.  In my opinion it is not nearly as good, or as powerful, as the full version.  You miss a lot of the character build up in the abridgement.  The Herdmans are a family you need to get to know. They will change your life.  This book has the power to evoke the Christmas spirit better than any I've ever found.  If you've never read it, or it's just been awhile, you NEED to pick it up today. I promise you won't regret it.  Happy reading! (and Merry Christmas).

Thursday Three: Christmas Picture Book Favorites

I have a lot of Christmas picture books I love, but I have narrowed it down to my favorite three.  All of these are books I think everyone who celebrates Christmas should own, even if you don't have kids.  I make it a habit to read these every year.  I know some of you read a Christmas picture book every day in December.  If these aren't already in your rotation, definitely add them next year.
1. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
This book has been around for a long time (originally published in 1963).  I only discovered it about 7 years ago.  The story follows the tip of the Christmas tree.  The tree is too tall for Mr. Willowby, so he chops the tip off.  The tip keeps getting cut off until only a tiny tree remains, big enough for a mouse.  All from one tree, a handful of people/creatures get their very own tree as well.  You watch as the Christmas spirit spreads to all who are touched by this most magnificent of trees. 
2. The Gift of the Magi
This classic O. Henry tale has been republished a gazillion times and has been around forever.  My mom used to read it to me and my siblings every year when I was younger.  The story follows a poor husband and wife who find the perfect Christmas gifts for one another.  The only problem, they don't know how to pay for them.  The husband sells his prized pocket watch to buy a beautiful set of hair combs for his wife.  She chops off and sells her coveted hair to pay for a new chain for his pocket watch.  This tale of love and sacrifice touches my heart every time I read it.
3. Mortimer's Christmas Manger
This cute story is about a little mouse who has grown tired of his dank little hole.  He ventures out into the house in search of a new home.  He spies a nativity set and thinks the stable looks like the perfect home, the manger the perfect bed.  He drags the figures out of the stable and makes himself comfortable.  When he overhears the family telling the story of Jesus, he understands who the figures are.  Giving Jesus his bed back, Mortimer prays for a new home that will have room for him.  The illustrations are adorable, and it is a cute approach to the Christmas Story.

Thursday Three: New(ish) Halloween/Scary Picture Books

1.  Creepy Carrots
This is such a fun picture book.  I first picked it up because I liked other books by the illustrator (Peter Brown), and was definitely not disappointed.  The illustrations are great (won a Caldecott Honor) and they help bring to life this funny story about a field full of carrots that decide they don't want to be picked and eaten anymore by Jasper Rabbit.

2.  I Need My Monster
This book just cracks me up.  This little boy can't go to sleep because the monster under his bed went fishing and left him alone at night.  How can he go to sleep without a monster keeping him in bed and under the covers?  He goes through substitute monster after substitute monster, but none are scary enough for him.

 3.  The Monstore
This is a new book I found a couple weeks ago.  It is a cute little story about a boy who just wants his little sister to stay out of his room and leave him alone.  He heads to the Monstore to buy a monster that can help him take care of his problem.  Unfortunately, his sister is not properly scared.  This leads to purchase after purchase of new monsters, each backfiring as well.  "No returns, no refunds" leaves him with a room full of monsters and his little sister loving every second of it. 

Thursday Three: Classic Halloween/Scary Picture Books

1.  In a Dark, Dark Room is one of my favorite scary story collections from childhood.  In this picture book edition you get fun illustrations to go along with all seven stories.  My favorite is The Green Ribbon, but all the stories bring back memories from when I was young.  Alvin Schwartz also has a three book collection of scary stories for young readers.

 2.  As a child some of my favorite monster related stories where by Mercer Mayer.  Unfortunately, most of them are out of print.  There's Something There! has There's a Nightmare in the Closet and both of its sequels (There's Something in My Attic and There's an Alligator Under My Bed).  The illustrations and fun stories help children learn to not be afraid of "monsters" in the closet, under the bed and in the attic.

3.  While the cartoon is always a must see each Halloween in my house, the picture book is definitely worth reading as well.  This edition of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is my favorite.  It is larger and therefore has better illustrations.  I also like the lack of dust jacket, but without the shiny library bound look.  It has a nice cloth cover with the wonderful cover art still in place.  Whatever format you choose, this book is a fantastic addition to every Halloween collection.