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The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree
This modern classic Christmas story teaches children the spirit of the season by bringing together two great New York City the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity.
Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone to become a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need.
Written by children's nonfiction author David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Gorgeous illustrations crafted by Jim LaMarche.
"Rubel's story of compassion hits all the right holiday notes; LaMarche's lush, warm illustrations of glowing Christmas trees and smiling, caring characters drive home the central message of charity." -- The Horn Book
Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone to become a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need.
Written by children's nonfiction author David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Gorgeous illustrations crafted by Jim LaMarche.
"Rubel's story of compassion hits all the right holiday notes; LaMarche's lush, warm illustrations of glowing Christmas trees and smiling, caring characters drive home the central message of charity." -- The Horn Book
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
19 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
David Rubel
43 books4 followersDavid Rubel has made a career of bringing history alive for readers of all ages.
Recognized nationally as an author, speaker, and historian, David has written fifteen books and edited a dozen more during his twenty-five years in publishing. Most of these titles focus on making American history accessible to a broad audience. Working with many of the country’s finest historians—including Pulitzer Prize–winners Joseph J. Ellis and James M. McPherson and Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein—David has created enduring books that make first-rate scholarship understandable and compelling.
David’s most recent book, If I Had a Hammer: Building Homes and Hope with Habitat for Humanity, features a collaboration with President Jimmy Carter. Folk legend Pete Seeger, whose classic song gave the book its title, calls If I Had a Hammer “an inspiring book, telling how ideas starting on a little farm in Georgia have grown to a worldwide movement.”
Adults and children alike have embraced David’s work. The Indianapolis Star has called The Coming Free: The Struggle for African-American Equality “a magnificent accounting of the civil rights activism of blacks” with a visual presentation that is “stunning and memorable.” His children’s books The Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Presidents and Their Times and The Scholastic Atlas of the United States have both become grade-school standards, selling more than half a million copies each in multiple editions.
As the president of Agincourt Press, a book production company in Chatham, New York, David works with his wife and partner, Julia Rubel, to conceive and develop projects for numerous publishers. Some of these he writes himself; others, he edits. For all, he coordinates the text, image research, and graphic design so that the narratives leap off the page.
A 1983 graduate of Columbia University, where he was sports editor of the Columbia Daily Spectator, David began his career as a correspondent for the Pacific News Service, covering everything from rock music to street gangs. He then worked as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins before becoming a freelance writer and editor. In 1990, David founded Agincourt Press in New York City. From 1994 until 2001, he served as president of the American Book Producers Association. In 1996, he moved his company from Manhattan to Chatham, a rural community in New York’s Hudson River Valley, where he now lives with his wife and two children.
David appears regularly on television and radio to discuss his work, especially as it relates to the American presidents. Concise biographies of the presidents that he recorded to support the publication of To the Best of My Ability: The American Presidents were syndicated to public radio stations nationwide and ran several times daily during the six weeks leading up to the 2000 election.
David speaks widely on history and presidential politics. He has lectured at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Carter Center in Atlanta and at numerous schools and institutions.
Recognized nationally as an author, speaker, and historian, David has written fifteen books and edited a dozen more during his twenty-five years in publishing. Most of these titles focus on making American history accessible to a broad audience. Working with many of the country’s finest historians—including Pulitzer Prize–winners Joseph J. Ellis and James M. McPherson and Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein—David has created enduring books that make first-rate scholarship understandable and compelling.
David’s most recent book, If I Had a Hammer: Building Homes and Hope with Habitat for Humanity, features a collaboration with President Jimmy Carter. Folk legend Pete Seeger, whose classic song gave the book its title, calls If I Had a Hammer “an inspiring book, telling how ideas starting on a little farm in Georgia have grown to a worldwide movement.”
Adults and children alike have embraced David’s work. The Indianapolis Star has called The Coming Free: The Struggle for African-American Equality “a magnificent accounting of the civil rights activism of blacks” with a visual presentation that is “stunning and memorable.” His children’s books The Scholastic Encyclopedia of the Presidents and Their Times and The Scholastic Atlas of the United States have both become grade-school standards, selling more than half a million copies each in multiple editions.
As the president of Agincourt Press, a book production company in Chatham, New York, David works with his wife and partner, Julia Rubel, to conceive and develop projects for numerous publishers. Some of these he writes himself; others, he edits. For all, he coordinates the text, image research, and graphic design so that the narratives leap off the page.
A 1983 graduate of Columbia University, where he was sports editor of the Columbia Daily Spectator, David began his career as a correspondent for the Pacific News Service, covering everything from rock music to street gangs. He then worked as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins before becoming a freelance writer and editor. In 1990, David founded Agincourt Press in New York City. From 1994 until 2001, he served as president of the American Book Producers Association. In 1996, he moved his company from Manhattan to Chatham, a rural community in New York’s Hudson River Valley, where he now lives with his wife and two children.
David appears regularly on television and radio to discuss his work, especially as it relates to the American presidents. Concise biographies of the presidents that he recorded to support the publication of To the Best of My Ability: The American Presidents were syndicated to public radio stations nationwide and ran several times daily during the six weeks leading up to the 2000 election.
David speaks widely on history and presidential politics. He has lectured at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Carter Center in Atlanta and at numerous schools and institutions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
December 12, 2011
Well, this one got me crying.
Wonderful book!
I have very fond memories of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. I arrived a couple days after Christmas in New Jersey/New York the year I was 5 and stayed until almost Christmas the next year when I was 6. Seeing the enormous tree and the skaters at Rockefeller Center were highlights of my times in Manhattan.
So, I was fascinated by this story and by the excellent author’s note in the back of the book. I was extremely touched by the circumstances surrounding the first tree and even more delighted with the newer tradition of donating the tree’s wood to Habitat for Humanity for it to be used to build houses for those in need.
I love the book’s dedication: “To those who give without looking back and those who receive without forgetting.”
Lovely story! I was completely engaged; it’s so well told, and I cared about all the characters.
I loved the illustrations. Each picture is gorgeous, expertly using color and light, and each has a vintage quality that perfectly fits this story.
Wonderful book!
I have very fond memories of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. I arrived a couple days after Christmas in New Jersey/New York the year I was 5 and stayed until almost Christmas the next year when I was 6. Seeing the enormous tree and the skaters at Rockefeller Center were highlights of my times in Manhattan.
So, I was fascinated by this story and by the excellent author’s note in the back of the book. I was extremely touched by the circumstances surrounding the first tree and even more delighted with the newer tradition of donating the tree’s wood to Habitat for Humanity for it to be used to build houses for those in need.
I love the book’s dedication: “To those who give without looking back and those who receive without forgetting.”
Lovely story! I was completely engaged; it’s so well told, and I cared about all the characters.
I loved the illustrations. Each picture is gorgeous, expertly using color and light, and each has a vintage quality that perfectly fits this story.
December 9, 2019
Beautiful Christmas story!
December 21, 2011
I love this book so much! I wish I had time right now to give it an adequate review, but I already see so many glowing reviews online so I hope that my lack of a detailed one won't reflect negatively on the book. It is just wonderful! I love the heart of this book, the dedication is: “To those who give without looking back and those who receive without forgetting.” Just wonderful, especially around the holidays. I love how the boy and his father, whose family has hit hard times during the Great Depression, still do what they can to find work and contribute in positive ways to society and that they are rewarded not only by seeing others made happy by the work they have done (bringing lovely Christmas trees into NYC to sell) but through the friendships they make. Their kindness and generous spirits are appreciated and find other kindred spirits who offer them a gift they could never have expected. In the end, the boy (now an old man) is presented with yet another opportunity to keep the spirit of that original kindness alive and enriching the lives of others in new ways. It's just wonderful! The illustrations are outstanding, too.
The historical note at the back is very interesting as it tells of how the first Christmas tree was erected at Rockefeller Center and how the tradition has continued. It also tells about Habitat for Humanity International and the wonderful work that they do.
I was given this book by a dear friend and it was definitely an unexpected treat. I trust that I will not forget her kindness and that I will be able to share this wonderful story with others, too.
The historical note at the back is very interesting as it tells of how the first Christmas tree was erected at Rockefeller Center and how the tradition has continued. It also tells about Habitat for Humanity International and the wonderful work that they do.
I was given this book by a dear friend and it was definitely an unexpected treat. I trust that I will not forget her kindness and that I will be able to share this wonderful story with others, too.
December 5, 2018
A poignant holiday tale, one which highlights the importance of generosity, and the joy of unexpected gifts at Christmas-time, The Carpenter's Gift was a pleasure to read! David Rubel's fictional narrative, which is set during the Great Depression, is inspired by the very first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree - set up informally by construction workers on the site, in 1931 - and follows the story of a young boy whose father, out of work and down on his luck, takes him down to New York City to sell trees. Aided in setting up by Frank and some of the other construction workers they meet, Henry and his father end up giving the trees they don't sell to their new friends, who unexpectedly repay them tenfold, showing up at their rundown shack the next day, with extra lumber and the offer of help to build a new house. Recalling these events, many years later, Henry - who ended up becoming a carpenter - decides to donate his giant fir tree, grown from the pinecone he found that extraordinary day in New York City, allowing it to be used as that year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Although the story of Henry and his father is fictional, it includes a number of historical and contemporary facts, from the construction workers who set up the first tree at Rockefeller Center, to the current use of that tree, after Christmas is over, in a Habitat for Humanity building project. I really appreciated the cyclical nature of this story, with an elder (Frank) giving Henry a number of gifts as a young boy - the new house, his hammer - and Henry passing on those gifts to another child, when he is an old man. I also really liked the fact that the story here highlights the reality that one of New York's most beloved holiday traditions, despite its current glamorous trappings, and very wealthy setting, was the brain-child of working people, and began as a spontaneous expression of gratitude for work - a feeling with which many Americans can identify these days. I couldn't help thinking, as I was reading this brief story, of how often we forget that it is the ordinary working people who make all good things possible in our society, rather than the wealthy and powerful. What better reminder, in this day of glitz, than a story about the origins of one of the most famous Christmas trees in our country?
In addition to really appreciating its message, both as a story of the holiday spirit, and as an expression of solidarity with people struggling through hard times, I loved the artwork in The Carpenter's Gift, which was simply gorgeous. Jim LaMarche delivers another luminous triumph here, with expressive paintings that really capture the feeling of each scene. Through LaMarche's painting, one can feel the morning cold with Henry, and experience with him his surprise and delight, when Frank and the others show up at his house. This is just a lovely, lovely book, one I highly recommend to anyone looking for excellent Christmas stories, and to fans of the artist.
Although the story of Henry and his father is fictional, it includes a number of historical and contemporary facts, from the construction workers who set up the first tree at Rockefeller Center, to the current use of that tree, after Christmas is over, in a Habitat for Humanity building project. I really appreciated the cyclical nature of this story, with an elder (Frank) giving Henry a number of gifts as a young boy - the new house, his hammer - and Henry passing on those gifts to another child, when he is an old man. I also really liked the fact that the story here highlights the reality that one of New York's most beloved holiday traditions, despite its current glamorous trappings, and very wealthy setting, was the brain-child of working people, and began as a spontaneous expression of gratitude for work - a feeling with which many Americans can identify these days. I couldn't help thinking, as I was reading this brief story, of how often we forget that it is the ordinary working people who make all good things possible in our society, rather than the wealthy and powerful. What better reminder, in this day of glitz, than a story about the origins of one of the most famous Christmas trees in our country?
In addition to really appreciating its message, both as a story of the holiday spirit, and as an expression of solidarity with people struggling through hard times, I loved the artwork in The Carpenter's Gift, which was simply gorgeous. Jim LaMarche delivers another luminous triumph here, with expressive paintings that really capture the feeling of each scene. Through LaMarche's painting, one can feel the morning cold with Henry, and experience with him his surprise and delight, when Frank and the others show up at his house. This is just a lovely, lovely book, one I highly recommend to anyone looking for excellent Christmas stories, and to fans of the artist.
December 23, 2019
This is a must read during the holiday season. While factional, this is a tale inspired by the true story of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, this is a joy to behold. With wonderful, crisp illustrations of Jim LaMarche, the author weaves a lovely tale of a young boy whose father is, like ever so many during the depression era of the United States, down and out, out of work and unable to provide for his family.
When the father decides to chop down trees and haul them to New York City to sell, he and his son make the early morning trek. Giving the unsold trees to construction workers who are kind to them, their generosity is repaid when they workers unexpectedly show up at the shack they are living in. Building a new home from extra lumber from the construction site, the young boy is overwhelmed by their kindness.
As the story progresses we learn that the young man became a carpenter who kept the gift of a tool given by the construction workers. When the young boy/now man took seeds from one of the Christmas trees of long ago, the tree, now huge and standing near the home of his father, he never expected that the tree would be used at the Rockefeller Plaza.
Based on the original story of construction workers in 1931 who were ever so grateful for the employment at hand, placed a tree at the site and, together decorated the tree with thankful hearts for the ability to purchase food for their families.
Inspiring, well written, beautifully illustrated, this is a stellar book. In reading the book, I discovered that the wood from the current Rockefeller Center Christmas trees is used to build homes for the poor.
When the father decides to chop down trees and haul them to New York City to sell, he and his son make the early morning trek. Giving the unsold trees to construction workers who are kind to them, their generosity is repaid when they workers unexpectedly show up at the shack they are living in. Building a new home from extra lumber from the construction site, the young boy is overwhelmed by their kindness.
As the story progresses we learn that the young man became a carpenter who kept the gift of a tool given by the construction workers. When the young boy/now man took seeds from one of the Christmas trees of long ago, the tree, now huge and standing near the home of his father, he never expected that the tree would be used at the Rockefeller Plaza.
Based on the original story of construction workers in 1931 who were ever so grateful for the employment at hand, placed a tree at the site and, together decorated the tree with thankful hearts for the ability to purchase food for their families.
Inspiring, well written, beautifully illustrated, this is a stellar book. In reading the book, I discovered that the wood from the current Rockefeller Center Christmas trees is used to build homes for the poor.
October 28, 2016
Heartfelt story, positive message, soft, comforting illustrations, all the Christmas feels. Any other time of the year I might roll my eyes but Christmas takes away the Scrooge in me.
August 11, 2014
One of those feel-good, sentimental stories about the true meaning of Christmas. Some may want a box of tissues nearby.
December 21, 2021
I love Christmas stories that are about real historical events. This one is about the Christmas trees at the Rockefeller Center and the Great Depression. Sweet and delightful, this is a good story to share with kids.
December 7, 2025
I really liked reading this book! Especially, since it’s the Christmas season. In my opinion, it’s great for all ages.
December 10, 2016
I don’t think this was the right way of telling the story. Having him start out as an old man, thinking back on being a boy, and then becoming the old man and passing the tradition down to someone else just didn’t work for me.
It was interesting learning about the beginning and history of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree though. I found it odd that he knew the true story of the tree and chose to tell a fictional retelling of it. I would have liked it better had it been the real story instead of a fabrication, because then it’s not really a tale of the Rockefeller Center Tree.
It did provide details about the Great Depression and what life was like for families. Both his parents were out of work, like most others, and they didn’t have coal for the stove or blankets, so they were cold.
It was confusing when his dad called Henry “Sparky” out of nowhere. I think it should have been explained that was a nickname, because I was like “Who’s Sparky?” It was interesting how his dad borrowed a truck, and that it was such a treat for Henry.
His dad had the idea to cut down Spruce Trees and sell them as Christmas trees in NYC. The author told it that they sat up the trees where some workers were at, who helped them out. The rest of the trees that hadn’t sold by the time they were leaving, the dad decided to gift to the workers. They all decorated the biggest tree with paper garland, cranberries on string and tin cans. Henry made a star ornament out of newspaper. His dad told the workers about their shack and the way they lived, while Henry found a pinecone to take home.
On Christmas morning the workers came with lumber and helped them build a new house. Frank, the main worker, gave Henry a hammer to use. Hard to believe they got the house built and a roof on by the end of the week. Then it jumped to spring and they had a dinner for all of the workers, during which Frank told Henry to keep the hammer. Later Henry decided to plant the pinecone for his own tree.
Henry grew up, became a skilled carpenter, eventually moved away and married and had kids. He brought his son back to the house and taught him how to build things. Then he was an old man moving back into the house. His parents died with no word of it, and no word of his family either; he was just an old man living alone looking to downsize.
A man came to the house one day saying how much he liked the big tree and how much he wanted it for the Rockefeller Center tree, and I expected Henry to make a comment or statement about having started the first tree and how it became a tradition because of him and his dad, but I got nothing. I wanted to know how it had become a yearly thing and I think that needed to be said. The man had seen it from his helicopter, which turned out to be a true event, so that made it less weird. Even today someone flies over and saves the location of candidates for the tree.
Henry loved the tree and didn’t know what to do because it had been with him for so long and they’d grown up together. I have to admit, it was sad that the tree was cut, even though its wood goes to build homes for needy families. That’s what sealed the deal for Henry because as a kid he had been given a home when he needed it, so he decided to help another family out with his tree.
I didn’t like the ending. I thought it was weird how Henry sees a girl admiring the tree, and she happened to find a pinecone lying on the ground, picked it up and pocketed it. What’s the big deal about a pinecone? And so Henry took his hammer out—why would he have his hammer with him at the tree lighting??—and gave it to her, saying “Here you go, Sparky. You’ll be needing this.” That was his dad’s special nickname for him, at least I assume, so why would he call someone else that, especially a girl? And then to give the hammer away too, jut losing all ties to his childhood. It should have stayed in the family. Why would he give a random little girl a hammer, instead of his own son? So wrong.
The last page was so pretty, with the huge Christmas tree full of light, the white and orange and blue and red dots of paint all coming together to make such a bright image, and then the gold statue below it. A very pretty picture.
The true story included at the end, with the picture from December 1931, was nice to know but it made me wonder why the story was so removed from the actual event. The first tree was put up by workers laying foundation for the Rockefeller Center, who wanted to express their gratitude for being employed at a time when most people weren’t. They all put money forward to buy a 20 ft tree and decorated it with their family’s handmade ornaments.
Today, the tree is found by a helicopter over NY, New Jersey and New England, which saves the location with GPS and then they find it on the ground. Arborists cut the tree down, and a crane carries it to the destination with a police escort.
It was just ok. I wouldn’t feel the need to read it again having read it once. It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.
It was interesting learning about the beginning and history of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree though. I found it odd that he knew the true story of the tree and chose to tell a fictional retelling of it. I would have liked it better had it been the real story instead of a fabrication, because then it’s not really a tale of the Rockefeller Center Tree.
It did provide details about the Great Depression and what life was like for families. Both his parents were out of work, like most others, and they didn’t have coal for the stove or blankets, so they were cold.
It was confusing when his dad called Henry “Sparky” out of nowhere. I think it should have been explained that was a nickname, because I was like “Who’s Sparky?” It was interesting how his dad borrowed a truck, and that it was such a treat for Henry.
His dad had the idea to cut down Spruce Trees and sell them as Christmas trees in NYC. The author told it that they sat up the trees where some workers were at, who helped them out. The rest of the trees that hadn’t sold by the time they were leaving, the dad decided to gift to the workers. They all decorated the biggest tree with paper garland, cranberries on string and tin cans. Henry made a star ornament out of newspaper. His dad told the workers about their shack and the way they lived, while Henry found a pinecone to take home.
On Christmas morning the workers came with lumber and helped them build a new house. Frank, the main worker, gave Henry a hammer to use. Hard to believe they got the house built and a roof on by the end of the week. Then it jumped to spring and they had a dinner for all of the workers, during which Frank told Henry to keep the hammer. Later Henry decided to plant the pinecone for his own tree.
Henry grew up, became a skilled carpenter, eventually moved away and married and had kids. He brought his son back to the house and taught him how to build things. Then he was an old man moving back into the house. His parents died with no word of it, and no word of his family either; he was just an old man living alone looking to downsize.
A man came to the house one day saying how much he liked the big tree and how much he wanted it for the Rockefeller Center tree, and I expected Henry to make a comment or statement about having started the first tree and how it became a tradition because of him and his dad, but I got nothing. I wanted to know how it had become a yearly thing and I think that needed to be said. The man had seen it from his helicopter, which turned out to be a true event, so that made it less weird. Even today someone flies over and saves the location of candidates for the tree.
Henry loved the tree and didn’t know what to do because it had been with him for so long and they’d grown up together. I have to admit, it was sad that the tree was cut, even though its wood goes to build homes for needy families. That’s what sealed the deal for Henry because as a kid he had been given a home when he needed it, so he decided to help another family out with his tree.
I didn’t like the ending. I thought it was weird how Henry sees a girl admiring the tree, and she happened to find a pinecone lying on the ground, picked it up and pocketed it. What’s the big deal about a pinecone? And so Henry took his hammer out—why would he have his hammer with him at the tree lighting??—and gave it to her, saying “Here you go, Sparky. You’ll be needing this.” That was his dad’s special nickname for him, at least I assume, so why would he call someone else that, especially a girl? And then to give the hammer away too, jut losing all ties to his childhood. It should have stayed in the family. Why would he give a random little girl a hammer, instead of his own son? So wrong.
The last page was so pretty, with the huge Christmas tree full of light, the white and orange and blue and red dots of paint all coming together to make such a bright image, and then the gold statue below it. A very pretty picture.
The true story included at the end, with the picture from December 1931, was nice to know but it made me wonder why the story was so removed from the actual event. The first tree was put up by workers laying foundation for the Rockefeller Center, who wanted to express their gratitude for being employed at a time when most people weren’t. They all put money forward to buy a 20 ft tree and decorated it with their family’s handmade ornaments.
Today, the tree is found by a helicopter over NY, New Jersey and New England, which saves the location with GPS and then they find it on the ground. Arborists cut the tree down, and a crane carries it to the destination with a police escort.
It was just ok. I wouldn’t feel the need to read it again having read it once. It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2013
The Carpenter’s Gift
This is the story of a family who gets a new home from the Rockefeller workers
W6.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
Focus: Flashback as a style of writing
Step-by-step:
1. Discuss how authors use flashback as a means of sharing a meaningful event that occurred in the past
2. Read p.1 (where the flashback occurs- Henry, the speaker, recalls when his parents are out of work due to Great Depression)
3. Read p.11 (Henry overhears his dad telling a man named Frank that they are having hard times and their shack is falling apart)
4. Read p.13 (Henry makes a wish for a new home)
5. Read p.21 (Henry’s family will have a new home built by Frank and some helpers)
6. Read p. 30 (The flashback is brought to the present time when Henry is now an old man)
7. Show/describe how the author inserted the flashback in chronological order, so as to not confuse the reader
8. Discuss how the flashback is on topic with the memory the narrator is having, it wasn’t just a random retelling of the past; it correlated to the story
9. Tell how this flashback is used to bridge the gap of time-when used effectively a flashback connects any amount of time, yesterday/months/decades
10. Remind students of how the author brings the flashback up to current times, when the narrator is now an old man; otherwise the reader would have been “stuck” in the past as well
11. Challenge students to utilize a flashback as they write; invite students to share how they may incorporate a flashback with a partner
Expected Outcomes:
Students should understand flashbacks can be used to give an account of the past. Students should see flashbacks as a creative literary tool they can use to “time-travel”, and allow the reader into a memory that relates to the plot of their narrative.
This is the story of a family who gets a new home from the Rockefeller workers
W6.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
Focus: Flashback as a style of writing
Step-by-step:
1. Discuss how authors use flashback as a means of sharing a meaningful event that occurred in the past
2. Read p.1 (where the flashback occurs- Henry, the speaker, recalls when his parents are out of work due to Great Depression)
3. Read p.11 (Henry overhears his dad telling a man named Frank that they are having hard times and their shack is falling apart)
4. Read p.13 (Henry makes a wish for a new home)
5. Read p.21 (Henry’s family will have a new home built by Frank and some helpers)
6. Read p. 30 (The flashback is brought to the present time when Henry is now an old man)
7. Show/describe how the author inserted the flashback in chronological order, so as to not confuse the reader
8. Discuss how the flashback is on topic with the memory the narrator is having, it wasn’t just a random retelling of the past; it correlated to the story
9. Tell how this flashback is used to bridge the gap of time-when used effectively a flashback connects any amount of time, yesterday/months/decades
10. Remind students of how the author brings the flashback up to current times, when the narrator is now an old man; otherwise the reader would have been “stuck” in the past as well
11. Challenge students to utilize a flashback as they write; invite students to share how they may incorporate a flashback with a partner
Expected Outcomes:
Students should understand flashbacks can be used to give an account of the past. Students should see flashbacks as a creative literary tool they can use to “time-travel”, and allow the reader into a memory that relates to the plot of their narrative.
November 24, 2014
For my goodreads friends that have kids…
Among my All-Time Favorite ‘Spirit of Christmas’ books are: “Christmas Tapestry” by Patricia Polacco; “The Carpenter’s Gift” by David Rubel; and “The Light of Christmas” by Richard Paul Evans. All are priceless in terms of teaching beautifully that giving IS the true spirit of Christmas. And absolutely appropriate for ANY age that needs such an important reminder.
“The Carpenter’s Gift” is a heart-warming story about New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It takes place during the Depression when jobs and money were hard to come by. Henry and his dad came up with a clever idea – cutting some of their trees and selling them near a construction sight in downtown Manhattan. The big leftover tree became a generous gift to the nearby workers.
With their meager earned funds, Henry and his dad returned home to have a meager Christmas during difficult times. With a wish and a pinecone, what happens next becomes a special gift for generations to not only enjoy, but a humanitarian action that is alive today. The tree that keeps on giving!
Historical notes and pictures are included at the back of this remarkable story.
Among my All-Time Favorite ‘Spirit of Christmas’ books are: “Christmas Tapestry” by Patricia Polacco; “The Carpenter’s Gift” by David Rubel; and “The Light of Christmas” by Richard Paul Evans. All are priceless in terms of teaching beautifully that giving IS the true spirit of Christmas. And absolutely appropriate for ANY age that needs such an important reminder.
“The Carpenter’s Gift” is a heart-warming story about New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It takes place during the Depression when jobs and money were hard to come by. Henry and his dad came up with a clever idea – cutting some of their trees and selling them near a construction sight in downtown Manhattan. The big leftover tree became a generous gift to the nearby workers.
With their meager earned funds, Henry and his dad returned home to have a meager Christmas during difficult times. With a wish and a pinecone, what happens next becomes a special gift for generations to not only enjoy, but a humanitarian action that is alive today. The tree that keeps on giving!
Historical notes and pictures are included at the back of this remarkable story.
January 3, 2012
A great picture book for elementary students during the Christmas season. The story does feature Christmas, but it is more about giving than about the holiday itself. Henry and his father borrow a truck to sell Christmas trees in New York. They sell a big one to the workers building the Rockefeller Center and the next day the workers come to help fix up their house. Henry grows up and moves away, but then returns to the simple house the workers ended up building. Henry had planted a tree next to the house from a pinecone that fell off of the tree his father sold to the workers. It grew very tall and in Henry's old age, was selected to be the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Henry decides to donate the tree and passes on the spirit of giving. Supplemental information about Rockefeller Center and Habitat for Humanity are included at the end. Although the book is not a true story for the setting (1931), in 2007 the wood from the Rockefeller Center tree was donated to Habitat for Humanity and has been ever since.
December 12, 2018
2014 - I decided to start a new tradition this year and wrap 25 christmas books and put them in a bin before December 1st. Starting on the 1st, we would pick a book each night, unwrap it and read for the month of December. I wanted a variety of books, some more traditional, some more jolly and others that show the spirit of the holiday. I looked up lists of favorite Christmas books and this one was on it. After reading the description, I knew I had to get it and have it be a part of my new tradition. The day it arrived at my house, I opened the box and read it right away. It has beautiful illustrations and a great message! I can't wait to read it to my two boys next month. We live in New York and it could easily be motivation to take them to Rockerfeller Center to ice skate by the tree that is mentioned in the story. We talk about paying it forward all year long as well, so to have the book do that on a much bigger level like Habitat for Humanity is very rewarding.
Thank you for the beautiful story!
Thank you for the beautiful story!
March 11, 2014
Beautifully told, this tale depicts the spirit of Christmas, the generosity of those living through the Great Depression and how they seek to pass on that sense of community and continuity to those who struggle in the next generation. The story touches on how people struggled to earn any money during the depression, the construction projects such as Rockefeller Center that were undertaken during the Great Depression, the importance of a community pulling together and pooling resources to help one another and the magic of a Christmas tradition - the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and how in this story the magic of this symbol embodies the spirit of generosity in this nation and how it is passed from one struggling generation to the next. Very moving story imbued with local history and flavor.
December 8, 2016
I enjoyed reading the ebook version to a group of special needs adults. They were fascinated with the story.
December 18, 2016
I was shocked the book started off with the boy as an old man.
I like how there's golden light on the page with the man, and blue light on the page with him as a boy. Very pretty.
I didn't know it was set during the Great Depression.
Pretty mature for a kid not to complain that they didn't have warm planets or coal for the stove, 'because it was nobody's fault.'
It's cool that riding in a car was a special treat to him.
He looks cute sitting in the truck.
-the color of the trees are pretty.
He looks cute as he's selling a Christmas tree and taking that woman's money.
That's nice they decided to give the worker the leftover trees they had.
I was surprised to see the cover was a page in the book.
His dad's eyes while he has his hand on his shoulder looks like cats eyes! Light brown. Def don't look human!
I love the color of that blue curtain.
Henry looks cute when Frank gave him the hammer.
I wish we could have seen them move in and put their furniture in. Right after it was built it fast forwarded to the spring.
I like the aerial view of the house, with the green grass and pink trees.
I can't believe a tree grew from a pine comb!
For me the story got depressing when he got older. 'As Henry grew up, however, he became busy with other things. He got married, moved away, and had a family. Most summers, though, he returned to visit his parents. On lazy days, he sat beneath the tree with his son, teaching him how to build things with the old claw hammer.'
'As he got even older, Henry sometimes wondered where the time went. One day, he was a young boy, waking up with a shiver. The next, he was an old man, living alone. Not needing a big place anymore, he decided to move back into the house where he had grown up.'
I just find it depressing. Especially how he ends up living alone!
Wow I can't believe the guy from Rockefeller Center was flying overhead saw the tree and knew he had to have it. It's someone's tree on their property!
On the page with Henry on the ladder, the tree is so big it blots out the sky!
It's weird it never mentioned his parents died. It mentioned him getting married and moving off.
Then he just moves back home.
"I know that I'm asking a lot." I'm glad you realize it!
"&when the holiday season is over, we mill the tree and use the lumber to help a family in need build a new home." They cut the tree!!?
It's unrealistic that both stories are so similar. The girl finds the pine comb. The girl doesn't look like a girl in the face. Then to further along the unrealistic-ness of it, he gives the girl his hammer. Not trying to be sexist, because she could grow up to be a carpenter, but a girl might not ever use the hammer.
The tree is really pretty, with the golden statue below it. The only thing is, the tree should look green with a bunch of lights. But this tree looks gold.
I wish the story itself had ended on a dif note, besides "here you go, Sparky. You'll be needing this."
I liked hearing of the hsirory if the Rockefeller tree, and how it really was started by construction workers in 1931. That's so cool! But I hated how this story wasn't true, and that they didn't get their tree from a boy& his dad who were selling trees there.
It's also nice how this connected to Habitat for Humanity.
It captured the time period, the history of the Rockefeller tree, and generous and helping people, from his dad giving the workers the tree, to them repaying it by helping them build a home.
I like how there's golden light on the page with the man, and blue light on the page with him as a boy. Very pretty.
I didn't know it was set during the Great Depression.
Pretty mature for a kid not to complain that they didn't have warm planets or coal for the stove, 'because it was nobody's fault.'
It's cool that riding in a car was a special treat to him.
He looks cute sitting in the truck.
-the color of the trees are pretty.
He looks cute as he's selling a Christmas tree and taking that woman's money.
That's nice they decided to give the worker the leftover trees they had.
I was surprised to see the cover was a page in the book.
His dad's eyes while he has his hand on his shoulder looks like cats eyes! Light brown. Def don't look human!
I love the color of that blue curtain.
Henry looks cute when Frank gave him the hammer.
I wish we could have seen them move in and put their furniture in. Right after it was built it fast forwarded to the spring.
I like the aerial view of the house, with the green grass and pink trees.
I can't believe a tree grew from a pine comb!
For me the story got depressing when he got older. 'As Henry grew up, however, he became busy with other things. He got married, moved away, and had a family. Most summers, though, he returned to visit his parents. On lazy days, he sat beneath the tree with his son, teaching him how to build things with the old claw hammer.'
'As he got even older, Henry sometimes wondered where the time went. One day, he was a young boy, waking up with a shiver. The next, he was an old man, living alone. Not needing a big place anymore, he decided to move back into the house where he had grown up.'
I just find it depressing. Especially how he ends up living alone!
Wow I can't believe the guy from Rockefeller Center was flying overhead saw the tree and knew he had to have it. It's someone's tree on their property!
On the page with Henry on the ladder, the tree is so big it blots out the sky!
It's weird it never mentioned his parents died. It mentioned him getting married and moving off.
Then he just moves back home.
"I know that I'm asking a lot." I'm glad you realize it!
"&when the holiday season is over, we mill the tree and use the lumber to help a family in need build a new home." They cut the tree!!?
It's unrealistic that both stories are so similar. The girl finds the pine comb. The girl doesn't look like a girl in the face. Then to further along the unrealistic-ness of it, he gives the girl his hammer. Not trying to be sexist, because she could grow up to be a carpenter, but a girl might not ever use the hammer.
The tree is really pretty, with the golden statue below it. The only thing is, the tree should look green with a bunch of lights. But this tree looks gold.
I wish the story itself had ended on a dif note, besides "here you go, Sparky. You'll be needing this."
I liked hearing of the hsirory if the Rockefeller tree, and how it really was started by construction workers in 1931. That's so cool! But I hated how this story wasn't true, and that they didn't get their tree from a boy& his dad who were selling trees there.
It's also nice how this connected to Habitat for Humanity.
It captured the time period, the history of the Rockefeller tree, and generous and helping people, from his dad giving the workers the tree, to them repaying it by helping them build a home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2012
This is a story of Henry, and it's Christmas Eve, 1931. He and his father sell Christmas tree in Manhattan, and at the end of the day, they decide to give away the lefover ones to some construction workers. The workers have a party and decorate the tallest one, and it becomes the first Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree! Henry finds a pinecone on the ground, and he takes it as a keepsake in order to remember that magical day. The next day, on Christmas morning, the same workers come and help Henry and his family do some repairs on their house with the extra wood. In the spring, Henry plants the pinecone, and a seedling emerges. Time passes, and the ending of this book will make your heart swell. I didn't know that now the wood from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is donated to Habitat for Humanity. Sweet, heart-warming story with facts about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Habitat for Humanity International at the back of the book. Beautiful illustrations.
November 23, 2011
Review via Cracking the Cover
Though fiction, “The Carpenter’s Gift” is inspired by Habitat for Humanity’s annual tradition of using donated lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. And in a time when many people are again without homes, it’s a sharp reminder of the impact charity and goodwill can have.
Though it covers a lot of material, “The Carpenter’s Gift” is an engaging tale that school-age children will enjoy and appreciate. The accompanying illustrations evoke a different time while still being relatable. Parents will appreciate the themes of generosity and kindness, as we enter the holiday season.
Though fiction, “The Carpenter’s Gift” is inspired by Habitat for Humanity’s annual tradition of using donated lumber from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. And in a time when many people are again without homes, it’s a sharp reminder of the impact charity and goodwill can have.
Though it covers a lot of material, “The Carpenter’s Gift” is an engaging tale that school-age children will enjoy and appreciate. The accompanying illustrations evoke a different time while still being relatable. Parents will appreciate the themes of generosity and kindness, as we enter the holiday season.
December 19, 2011
Henry's story is sure to touch many hearts. During the Great Depression, Henry and his parents were living in a little shack, struggling to keep warm. On Christmas Eve, Henry helped his dad cut down and sell Christmas trees in New York City. Henry helped some construction workers decorate one tree and he made a wish. That wish would come true. Many years pass and Henry returns back home, where he passes on the Christmas magic and helps others see their wishes come true. A heartwarming story made more beautiful with elegant, warm-colored, nature-filled illustrations.
An informational piece on the Rockefeller Center Tree and Habitat for Humanity are found at the end of the book to offer some history and background to this remarkable story.
An informational piece on the Rockefeller Center Tree and Habitat for Humanity are found at the end of the book to offer some history and background to this remarkable story.
January 27, 2015
The thing that I liked most about this story is that the title can be interpreted so many different ways. The boy's father gives a gift to a carpenter. The boy is given the gift of a hammer from the carpenter. The boy grows up to be a carpenter and gives the gift of a spruce tree to the people of New York City. More than that, though, because this story is about Christmas, it can also remind the reader about what Christmas is all about. It's about a carpenter who gave His life for the world, which is the ultimate gift. Although it's not the Christmas season currently, the spirit of that sacrifice and the idea of sharing goodness with others is nice to read about year round.
September 11, 2016
I did not see anywhere in the book where this is anything but a well told work of fiction. However, after reading this amazing story I truly hope that it has some shred of truth. One boys wish for a better life for his family and the endless capacity of the human heart make for a story for all ages. Touching, beautifully written and illustrated a PERFECT gift to give next holiday season.
July 22, 2017
For fans of NYC, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and Habitat for Humanity. Beautiful illustrations, beautiful story set in 1931 on Christmas Eve. Did you know, a new tradition in 2007 was started by the company that owns Rockefeller Center to have the Christmas tree milled into lumber and Habitat for Humanity to use to build a home for a family in need? #CircleOfGiving #Pinecone #family
October 13, 2018
The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree will be a great book to add to our family Christmas Read-Aloud list. It will stretch the children's imagination to another time ( the depression) and another part of our great country, New York City. Great Illustrations.
December 15, 2012
This is a very heart-warming story. My older students loved the messages it portrays of family, giving of your time and talents, and helping others. It also ties in some history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and Habitat for Humanity. Wonderful book!
February 1, 2014
This book would be such a great Christmas story. I love the meaning behind this story. It brings good memories of Christmas when I grew up. I think that children can connect to this story really well because they can relate to the kid in this story in some way.
December 6, 2017
Wonderful story about the Rockefeller Center tree. In the back it has a very cool picture of the first tree the construction workers put up. Great book to learn about the history of the Christmas tree that goes up in NY every year. We would love to one day go and see it for ourselves...krb 12/5/17
December 15, 2017
Heartwarming story filled with the kindness, love, and compassion. I absolutely loved this story! The author’s words remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and are a wonderful reminder of all we should be grateful for.
December 31, 2017
Winter break bookaday #22. This book was mentioned at the end of the fabulous Red and Lulu, it is a great companion book that I don’t know if I can wait until next holiday season to share with my students, who all heard Red and Lulu read aloud this year. Love LaMarche’s illustrations.
October 11, 2018
A beautiful story with just a tiny bit of schmaltz. Really liked the back matter about Habitat for Humanity. I didn't know that the tree is milled and the lumber donated to help build houses. What a wonderful tradition.
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