Cotter highlights the spirituality behind Christmas throughout this simple story. Mrs. Spruce recalls “God’s Son Jesus, who came as a baby” and proudly describes the symbolism of being an evergreen tree, whose needles will never turn brown: “[P]eople pick evergreen trees to remind them of the everlasting life that Jesus brought!” When a like-minded family, searching for a small Memory Tree to replant in their own yard, stumbles on Annie, the story’s happy ending quickly comes to pass–with the added bonus that Annie can still see her own family members at the farm from her new home’s location.
Christian families will savor Cotter’s juxtaposition of holiday traditions with religious meaning, despite the straightforward message, a plot that doesn’t offer surprises, and inconsistent proofreading and polish. The illustrations are simple, reminiscent of children’s crayoned holiday drawings, but still manage to evoke warmth and carefree Christmas cheer as the trees care for each other. Young readers will enjoy decorating their own trees with the included ornament template as a “reminder of the Advent season,” and small details like Annie’s snowball fight with her brother add humor to the story. This upbeat Christmas tale is sure to brighten up the season for families that share its faith.
Takeaway: A Christian tale of Christmas tradition, inspiration, and a small evergreen eager to brighten a family’s lives.
Great for fans of: Stephen G. Bowling’s Calvin the Christmas Tree, Nicola Edwards’s You’re My Little Christmas Wish.
Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: C
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: A
