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Under the Christmas Tree
Presented from an African-American perspective by a Coretta Scott King Award-winning author, a holiday tale provides readers with twenty-three charming poems that capture the joy and happiness of one family's Christmas celebration.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2002
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 18, 2019
Wonderful book....
January 12, 2025
Talk about a power couple!
March 16, 2010
By: Nikki Grimes; Illustrated: Kadir Nelson; Grades: 2-4
This book of poetry is written from the perspective of anticipation. It begins with taking out decorations for Christmas, and follows through Christmas Eve, the dinner, and days after.
This is really good. It's poetry, but it tells a story like a narrative. I truly enjoyed the poems and the style. The illustrations by Kadir Nelson are nice, as usual. This is the first time I thought about using, not only the text, but the illustrations, to teach a lesson. This would be good to help demonstrate the relationship between art and literature.
This book of poetry is written from the perspective of anticipation. It begins with taking out decorations for Christmas, and follows through Christmas Eve, the dinner, and days after.
This is really good. It's poetry, but it tells a story like a narrative. I truly enjoyed the poems and the style. The illustrations by Kadir Nelson are nice, as usual. This is the first time I thought about using, not only the text, but the illustrations, to teach a lesson. This would be good to help demonstrate the relationship between art and literature.
November 6, 2022
First sentence: I count down
The days of December
And watch for
The cardboard box
Mom keeps
Like a secret
At the back
Of the closet
All year.
Then, one morning,
It appears
Sudden as fog
And out comes
Three strands of bulbs
Waiting to wink
And imitate starlight,
Leftover tinsel
Still showing off
Its sparkle,
And a basket of silver balls
Too delicate
for bouncing.
Magic as mirrors,
They play catch
With every light
In the room.
I dig further and find
The gold acorns
I spray-painted
Last year, a pair
Of quilted reindeer,
And the five-pointed star
Grandma made of lace.
The box bursts with
Forgotten treasures.
But I know we're
Near the bottom
When I find
Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
And the Wise Men,
Their porcelain bodies
Wrapped like mummies.
Do they wonder
Where they've been?
I shrug, then tear their
Tissue-paper shrouds
So they can breathe.
It's then
The Wise Men whisper
Finally
Christmastime is here!
Twenty-three poems [with illustrations] help little ones [and those young at heart] count down the days until Christmas! [or Christmas Eve, to be precise]. These poems celebrate big things, little things, all the in-between things. Poems vary in length. Some poems are just three lines long! While others--like the poem I quoted above--are longer. [It's called The Box]
I enjoyed so many of these. But I have a few favorites that I loved, loved, loved.
Plugged In
Forget the house next door.
What are you waiting for?
Like precious jewelry
We stud the rooftop
Bracelet the porch post
Bead the bushes
Pearl the footpath
And ring the old oak tree.
We are ready and set
To shimmer, so,
Plug
Us
In.
Isn't that poem wonderful????
I also really loved the poem "Getting to the Good Stuff." I loved the ending so, so, so, much.
Getting to the Good Stuff
I love to open presents
On Christmas Eve, at night.
I love to guess the contents
Then see if I was right.
I love the bits of ribbon
The way the endings curl.
I love the dainty wrapping--
Just perfect for a girl.
I love the tissue paper
That teases "almost there!"
So what if I'm now eighty-three?
Go right ahead and laugh at me
And see how much I care!
The days of December
And watch for
The cardboard box
Mom keeps
Like a secret
At the back
Of the closet
All year.
Then, one morning,
It appears
Sudden as fog
And out comes
Three strands of bulbs
Waiting to wink
And imitate starlight,
Leftover tinsel
Still showing off
Its sparkle,
And a basket of silver balls
Too delicate
for bouncing.
Magic as mirrors,
They play catch
With every light
In the room.
I dig further and find
The gold acorns
I spray-painted
Last year, a pair
Of quilted reindeer,
And the five-pointed star
Grandma made of lace.
The box bursts with
Forgotten treasures.
But I know we're
Near the bottom
When I find
Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
And the Wise Men,
Their porcelain bodies
Wrapped like mummies.
Do they wonder
Where they've been?
I shrug, then tear their
Tissue-paper shrouds
So they can breathe.
It's then
The Wise Men whisper
Finally
Christmastime is here!
Twenty-three poems [with illustrations] help little ones [and those young at heart] count down the days until Christmas! [or Christmas Eve, to be precise]. These poems celebrate big things, little things, all the in-between things. Poems vary in length. Some poems are just three lines long! While others--like the poem I quoted above--are longer. [It's called The Box]
I enjoyed so many of these. But I have a few favorites that I loved, loved, loved.
Plugged In
Forget the house next door.
What are you waiting for?
Like precious jewelry
We stud the rooftop
Bracelet the porch post
Bead the bushes
Pearl the footpath
And ring the old oak tree.
We are ready and set
To shimmer, so,
Plug
Us
In.
Isn't that poem wonderful????
I also really loved the poem "Getting to the Good Stuff." I loved the ending so, so, so, much.
Getting to the Good Stuff
I love to open presents
On Christmas Eve, at night.
I love to guess the contents
Then see if I was right.
I love the bits of ribbon
The way the endings curl.
I love the dainty wrapping--
Just perfect for a girl.
I love the tissue paper
That teases "almost there!"
So what if I'm now eighty-three?
Go right ahead and laugh at me
And see how much I care!
Read
December 14, 2024No Rating
While Nikki Grimes's poetry is not always my favorite, it's likely because I have not read enough of it to be fully used to it. Under the Christmas Tree is a picture book told in verse, so the poetry is simplified for a much younger audience. That being said, she does capture the essence of Christmas through the eyes of a child. The illustrations are also stunning, perfectly going along with the respective poems. Overall, Under the Christmas Tree was a nice read, though I think I would've loved it more if I'd read it when I was obsessed with picture books.
While Nikki Grimes's poetry is not always my favorite, it's likely because I have not read enough of it to be fully used to it. Under the Christmas Tree is a picture book told in verse, so the poetry is simplified for a much younger audience. That being said, she does capture the essence of Christmas through the eyes of a child. The illustrations are also stunning, perfectly going along with the respective poems. Overall, Under the Christmas Tree was a nice read, though I think I would've loved it more if I'd read it when I was obsessed with picture books.
June 28, 2018
On the avenue,
Street vendors
Stomping out the cold
In booted feet
Compete for attention
Hawking chestnuts
And cheap toys,
"Only four more
Shopping days
Till Christmas!"
They remind anyone
Who'll listen.
But yesterday
I was Rhythm Brown
The blind sax-man
Who drew a crowd.
He leaned into
His horn and blew
"Silent Night"
As if he heard
The Baby's Cry
And longed to sooth
And swaddle Him
In melody
Soft as a sigh.
Street vendors
Stomping out the cold
In booted feet
Compete for attention
Hawking chestnuts
And cheap toys,
"Only four more
Shopping days
Till Christmas!"
They remind anyone
Who'll listen.
But yesterday
I was Rhythm Brown
The blind sax-man
Who drew a crowd.
He leaned into
His horn and blew
"Silent Night"
As if he heard
The Baby's Cry
And longed to sooth
And swaddle Him
In melody
Soft as a sigh.
December 17, 2017
Lovely and thoughtful Christmas poems accompanied by Nelson's wonderful illustrations. Poetry has limited appeal unless "sold" to children by enthusiastic teachers and parents. This book will make it easier to sell.
February 21, 2021
The gorgeous illustrations of this picture book are its strongest feature. I am not sure how my kids will like the poems, but I thought they were nice. Some children might find it boring as they evoke the sights, sounds, and feelings of Christmas instead of a story.
January 12, 2019
If everything surrounding celebrating Christmas brings you a warm and fuzzy feeling then put this book on your tbr because it is full of it.
January 12, 2020
Disappointing. These illustrations don't even look like they are done by Kadir Nelson. Published in 2002, I guess it is an earlier work.
December 2, 2021
Collection of poems that begin with decorating the tree for Christmas and ends with them going to bed on Christmas day.
May 24, 2022
Kadir's illustrations are exquisite
February 23, 2016
Award-winning poet Nikki Grimes offers twenty-three Christmas poems accompanied by the illustrations of Kadir Nelson.
I attended an author luncheon at the recent Public Library Association conference in Portland and heard Mr. Nelson speak and present a slide show of his work. He specializes in painting African American characters. His recent book, We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, has been highly acclaimed. In the slide show I spotted a picture of some boys playing in a snow-covered street and was intrigued by it. When returning the library I looked through a list of Nelson's books, trying to identify which title might contain the picture. I guessed right with Under the Christmas Tree.
My favorite poems were Christmas Eve and Under the Tree, Love of family permeates the illustrations of this lovely book.
I attended an author luncheon at the recent Public Library Association conference in Portland and heard Mr. Nelson speak and present a slide show of his work. He specializes in painting African American characters. His recent book, We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, has been highly acclaimed. In the slide show I spotted a picture of some boys playing in a snow-covered street and was intrigued by it. When returning the library I looked through a list of Nelson's books, trying to identify which title might contain the picture. I guessed right with Under the Christmas Tree.
My favorite poems were Christmas Eve and Under the Tree, Love of family permeates the illustrations of this lovely book.
January 11, 2010
Yes, the illustrations are good, and yeah, I really enjoyed most of the poems. I think that if you want a book of contemporary child-focused Christmas poems in an illustrated book, this is probably perfect. That's why I put it on my "to-own" shelf, because I think it would be a lovely thing to read poems from every year during advent and on Christmas. Nevertheless, only one or two of the poems really moved me, and only one of the images was so beautiful that I had to keep going back to it. Still, that's better than most books!
Read
October 3, 2016This book is a set of poems describing the different aspects of Christmas. From decorations, traditions, and presents, this story depicts the fundamentals of Christmas that we have all come to know and love. I would use this book as apart of a poetry lesson or a fun book to read during Christmas time. This could also be a gateway in order to talk about different holidays that take place along side of Christmas.
December 7, 2010
Great poetry! This book is made up of different poems about Christmas. It may be some of the best Christmas poems I have ever read. It would be a great book to read during Christmas time if you were studying poems in your classroom. When reading this book, you could also share its writing craft of how beautifully the poetry is written.
December 7, 2012
This collection of Christmas poems is of course, turned from "lovely" to breathtaking by Kadir Nelson's always-wonderful illustrations. A fabulous one to add to any Christmas collection. My kids really loved it.
December 21, 2019
This is a beautiful book of poetry written around a family's Christmas. The poems are sometimes poignant, sometimes almost humorous, but always very human. The illustrations contribute deeply to the experience.
February 12, 2008
This book reflects on Christmas Holiday's in the past. What traditions are set within your family and how you religious background can affect the holiday season.
December 8, 2010
Poems by Nikki Grimes. Text and illustrations offer beautiful and positive portrayals of black family life.
December 13, 2013
Wonderful poetry and fun
December 7, 2015
I love great poetry, especially reading great poetry to my kids.
August 12, 2016
Liked it 'til the end. Saying goodbye to Christmas is never easy!
Read
October 19, 20172012. Realistic fiction. Poems about different things that happen around Christmastime. Christmas windows, family, presents.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews