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Christmas on Jane Street: A Perfect Holiday and Christmas Gift
A lovely, lovingly illustrated little gem of a book, this delightful tenth anniversary edition of a beloved Christmas classic tells the poignant, inspiring story of an unforgettable family that brings the Christmas spirit to life on a street corner in Manhattan and the warm, wide circle of friends who have welcomed them to the neighborhood. Every holiday season for nearly twenty years, Billy Romp, his wife, and their three children have spent nearly a month living in a tiny camper and selling Christmas trees on Jane Street in New York City. They arrive from Vermont the day after Thanksgiving and leave just in time to make it home for Christmas morning—and for a few weeks they transform a corner of the Big Apple into a Frank Capra-esque small town alive with heartwarming holiday spirit. Christmas on Jane Street is about the transformative power of love—love of parent and child, of merchant and customer, of stranger and neighbor. The ideal Christmas story, it is about the lasting and profound difference that one person can make to a family and one family can make to a community.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
December 19, 2014
This small volume is a pleasant enough read, especially at first, as the true story unfolds. The Romp family sells Christmas trees in New York City every holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. What makes it even more interesting is that they live in Vermont, and travel in a camper to the Big Apple, and they live in the camper on Jane Street, where they sell their trees.
I enjoyed the charming, anecdotal tone in the first half of the book or so. But it's a slim book, and quite of bit of it from the halfway point to the end is about the author's struggles with his pre-teen daughter. Is she pulling away from him? She's not including him in things! She just walked past and didn't even look at him! She's dressing in fancy clothes, does that mean she doesn't love her family anymore? He grounds her, she rebels more. Oy. While I give him points for honesty--what parent hasn't felt rejected by a teenager?--it felt unpleasant to read about, and I didn't like him very much through most of that. They reconcile and he buys a single rose for his wife to apologize for acting like an ass but I can't help but wonder if his wife felt like I did by that point: too little, too late, pal.
Adding to the fact that the family is welcomed with such love and generosity by the year round residents of Jane Street, free food, a place to shower (remember, they are living in a camper), electricity, Christmas gifts, etc. The author professes to want to live a "simple" life and would this be possible, if he didn't get all this help every year from New Yorkers looking out for his family? Pretty challenging for wife and three young children, to be taken away from home every holiday season to live in a camper on the street. The author does compliment his wife but then there's that night...the night he buys her the rose...her ONE night out with friends during the entire time they are there...when he pouts and pulls away and says he doesn't want to go to the one party the wife gets to enjoy. Oy. I kept putting myself in her shoes and...again, wasn't feeling the "holiday charm" at that point in the book.
Caring for a young family of 5 living in a camper on a city street for a month every winter... I'd like to read a book by the wife!
I enjoyed the charming, anecdotal tone in the first half of the book or so. But it's a slim book, and quite of bit of it from the halfway point to the end is about the author's struggles with his pre-teen daughter. Is she pulling away from him? She's not including him in things! She just walked past and didn't even look at him! She's dressing in fancy clothes, does that mean she doesn't love her family anymore? He grounds her, she rebels more. Oy. While I give him points for honesty--what parent hasn't felt rejected by a teenager?--it felt unpleasant to read about, and I didn't like him very much through most of that. They reconcile and he buys a single rose for his wife to apologize for acting like an ass but I can't help but wonder if his wife felt like I did by that point: too little, too late, pal.
Adding to the fact that the family is welcomed with such love and generosity by the year round residents of Jane Street, free food, a place to shower (remember, they are living in a camper), electricity, Christmas gifts, etc. The author professes to want to live a "simple" life and would this be possible, if he didn't get all this help every year from New Yorkers looking out for his family? Pretty challenging for wife and three young children, to be taken away from home every holiday season to live in a camper on the street. The author does compliment his wife but then there's that night...the night he buys her the rose...her ONE night out with friends during the entire time they are there...when he pouts and pulls away and says he doesn't want to go to the one party the wife gets to enjoy. Oy. I kept putting myself in her shoes and...again, wasn't feeling the "holiday charm" at that point in the book.
Caring for a young family of 5 living in a camper on a city street for a month every winter... I'd like to read a book by the wife!
December 10, 2011
This is a nice little holiday read, perfect for when you need a quiet hour with a cup of tea in the midst of the all the Christmas chaos. I have a few of these small Christmas books that I like to re-read every year, but this one is new to me. The title was vaguely familiar though and I'm wondering if there might have been a tv movie with the same name. It's a pretty good plot for a holiday movie.
"Christmas On Jane Street" is a true story, and that always makes things a little more interesting, but the writing in this one was lacking a certain something that might keep it off my "favorites" list. I find I'm sometimes disappointed with stories that are told "with" an authour who is helping get it down on paper. They feel a little stiff to me.
Favorite or not, it's still a good story with all the requisite elements for a satisfying Christmas story: family relationships strained and restored, friendly neighbours coming to each others aid and children testing the boundaries and spreading their wings. It all adds up to a low level of sappiness that is more than tolerable in a Christmas story. If you can watch "It's A Wonderful Life" with it's off the charts sap level and enjoy it, you'll be fine with "Christmas On Jane Street".
The corner of Jane Street and Eighth in New York City is where Billy Romp, his wife and three children set up their Christmas tree stand every year. They live on the tree lot in a tiny camper from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and become part of the neighbourhood where they are welcomed and taken care of by local residents and shop owners. This is the best part of the story to me. It's reassuring, life-affirming to read how generous and helpful people truly want to be even when there is no material reward in it for them.
The story centers around Billy and his relationship with his oldest daughter. Like all parents he's having difficulty letting go of the tight control we keep over our kids when they are little and he feels the pain we all feel when they begin to step away from us and out into the larger world. I'll leave it at that and let you discover the rest for yourself.
I enjoyed this book. I do wish I had waited till tomorrow to read it though because our first big snowstorm of the season is coming and this would have been the perfect book for a snow day. I think it's time to move my Christmas books up from the bottom shelf and see what I can find for a lovely long day of reading and watching the snow fall. That sounds quite picturesque but in truth we usually get a wicked wind that drives the snow sideways past the rattling front window and we often lose our hydro in a storm. That, however, is reality and I don't think I'll consider it right now. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.
"Christmas On Jane Street" is a true story, and that always makes things a little more interesting, but the writing in this one was lacking a certain something that might keep it off my "favorites" list. I find I'm sometimes disappointed with stories that are told "with" an authour who is helping get it down on paper. They feel a little stiff to me.
Favorite or not, it's still a good story with all the requisite elements for a satisfying Christmas story: family relationships strained and restored, friendly neighbours coming to each others aid and children testing the boundaries and spreading their wings. It all adds up to a low level of sappiness that is more than tolerable in a Christmas story. If you can watch "It's A Wonderful Life" with it's off the charts sap level and enjoy it, you'll be fine with "Christmas On Jane Street".
The corner of Jane Street and Eighth in New York City is where Billy Romp, his wife and three children set up their Christmas tree stand every year. They live on the tree lot in a tiny camper from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and become part of the neighbourhood where they are welcomed and taken care of by local residents and shop owners. This is the best part of the story to me. It's reassuring, life-affirming to read how generous and helpful people truly want to be even when there is no material reward in it for them.
The story centers around Billy and his relationship with his oldest daughter. Like all parents he's having difficulty letting go of the tight control we keep over our kids when they are little and he feels the pain we all feel when they begin to step away from us and out into the larger world. I'll leave it at that and let you discover the rest for yourself.
I enjoyed this book. I do wish I had waited till tomorrow to read it though because our first big snowstorm of the season is coming and this would have been the perfect book for a snow day. I think it's time to move my Christmas books up from the bottom shelf and see what I can find for a lovely long day of reading and watching the snow fall. That sounds quite picturesque but in truth we usually get a wicked wind that drives the snow sideways past the rattling front window and we often lose our hydro in a storm. That, however, is reality and I don't think I'll consider it right now. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.
December 20, 2013
Vermont Tree farmer Billy Romp, his wife, daughter Ellie, sons & dog climb into the family camper each year for one month, leaving Vermont to sell their trees at the same corner in Greenwich Village. At the end, they return home to Vermont, but every year they seem to become more and more of the extended family network of the families on Jane Street. This story works because it is a true story, but Billy Romp humbleness in the end overcomes the brewing conflict with his young teenage daughter. It is less the lesson that the daughter learns than the one the father learns about having the kind of family he wants to have, and what that means that he needs to change in himself to achieve the best relationship with his daughter. Sweet, charming and a fast read.
November 26, 2007
This book has become one of my holiday traditions. I don't even remember how I came across it, but I check it out every year around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I love this tiny treasure because it's quick and easy to read and packs a powerful punch. If it's a warm and touching holiday story you're after, this is the book for you. And guess what, it's true! The Romps are an ordinary farming family portrayed in a romantic, loveable light. For ten years they've travelled from their Vermont home to sell Christmas trees in NYC from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Their sales could make or break their year, but what's important are the life lessons learned on one particular trip, the one on which this beautifully packaged story is centered.
December 7, 2012
An absolutely charming Christmas tale based on a real family and their memorable holiday experiences.
A Vermont Christmas Tree farmer transplants his family each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve to a Christmas tree lot on the corner of Jane St 7 8th in Greenwich Village. it is a story og how people "reach out" to others - particularly at this time of year.
A tale of a family who learned a lot about life working side by side. This is one of those books I'll keep and read over each year. A feel good book.
A Vermont Christmas Tree farmer transplants his family each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve to a Christmas tree lot on the corner of Jane St 7 8th in Greenwich Village. it is a story og how people "reach out" to others - particularly at this time of year.
A tale of a family who learned a lot about life working side by side. This is one of those books I'll keep and read over each year. A feel good book.
December 17, 2014
This might be tied for the worst book I ever read. What is the point? Very contrived. The best part is the post-log where the author discusses his daughter's struggles as an adolescent and young adult.
Truly not my cup of tea!
Truly not my cup of tea!
December 9, 2012
A light quick read about a father bonding with his daughter. It's a secular Christmas story.
December 10, 2012
I loved this little book. I fell in love with family and want to go visit 8th and Jane the next time I am in NYC!
April 1, 2016
A wonderful quick read for the Christmas season. Touching story of a father daughter relationship. Loved their gift philosophy. Would be a beautiful tradition shared with your family.
December 31, 2022
This is a short little memoir (154 small pages with a few illustrations) of sorts, about the Romp family of Vermont. Every year, for 35 years, they have sold Christmas trees on the corner of Jane Street and Eighth Ave in NYC’s Greenwich Village/West Village. They purchase about 200 trees from North Carolina and Canada (and have about 30 on the spot at a time) and live in a camper nearby for the month. Apparently, there is a “Coniferous Tree Exception” that allows vendors who meet a few requirements to sell trees wherever it is ok with landowners.
One year, Billy Romp noticed a change in his teenage daughter, and this book is the story of what changed for her that year and what he learned from his experience. It is a sweet story of trees and family.
“…I made a vow not to let myself get so wrapped up in the commercial side of the business that I lost sight of the meaning within each Christmas tree and the broader spirit of the season within our family.” P16
“The kindness on Jane Street is like a force of nature. It takes on a life of its own in powerful and unexpected ways, pulling along unlikely candidates in its path, and transforming them into happier and more vibrant souls.” P17
“I’ve noticed in life that once someone tells you his or her story, and you really listen, your differences fade away.” P81
The illustrations by Robbin Gourley are precious in beginning each chapter (and the cover, too!) of this 10th anniversary edition. It was published in 2008, so it’s still been a while, but you can see video and images from this year, here: (and if you search, almost every media outlet has covered their family in the last few years)
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/chr...
One year, Billy Romp noticed a change in his teenage daughter, and this book is the story of what changed for her that year and what he learned from his experience. It is a sweet story of trees and family.
“…I made a vow not to let myself get so wrapped up in the commercial side of the business that I lost sight of the meaning within each Christmas tree and the broader spirit of the season within our family.” P16
“The kindness on Jane Street is like a force of nature. It takes on a life of its own in powerful and unexpected ways, pulling along unlikely candidates in its path, and transforming them into happier and more vibrant souls.” P17
“I’ve noticed in life that once someone tells you his or her story, and you really listen, your differences fade away.” P81
The illustrations by Robbin Gourley are precious in beginning each chapter (and the cover, too!) of this 10th anniversary edition. It was published in 2008, so it’s still been a while, but you can see video and images from this year, here: (and if you search, almost every media outlet has covered their family in the last few years)
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/chr...
December 9, 2025
About a decade ago, I discovered Jane Street Community Garden during the Christmas season. I captured a photo of the Christmas tree market, which I’ve since framed at home—it's one of my favorite photos of New York City. Just yesterday, I spotted a small book on the library counter and added it to my pile. The book tells the story of a family who runs the tree market from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, their simple life back in Vermont, their friends on Jane Street who feel like family, and compassion of community and the bittersweet nature of change. I’m so happy to have come across this brief, true account of life on a charming corner in the Village. I think a Jane Street visit on Christmas Eve is in store for us this year, too.
December 19, 2022
This book, based on a true story, was about a father realizing that his daughter was growing up and needed to experience something she wanted to do.
The Romp family has been selling Christmas trees from Vermont on the same corner of Greenwich Village for years. Ellie, Billy Romp’s daughter, has always been a big help with the business. This year though, when she meets her friend Emma who lives nearby, decides she wants to go see The Nutcracker as her Christmas present. Billy thinks that idea is ridiculous. Ellie shouldn’t be spending hard earned money on a frivolous night on the town. Plus he already has her Christmas present, a hand made tool box of her very own. Ellie decided to take matters in her own hands. She makes candles to sell and gets enough money to go with her friend to see the play. Billy is disappointed, but after overhearing Ellie speak to her friends about how highly she admires and loves her dad, Billy realizes his mistake. He gives away the remaining trees and heads back home with his family, spending quality time with them and making memories to last a lifetime.
The Romp family has been selling Christmas trees from Vermont on the same corner of Greenwich Village for years. Ellie, Billy Romp’s daughter, has always been a big help with the business. This year though, when she meets her friend Emma who lives nearby, decides she wants to go see The Nutcracker as her Christmas present. Billy thinks that idea is ridiculous. Ellie shouldn’t be spending hard earned money on a frivolous night on the town. Plus he already has her Christmas present, a hand made tool box of her very own. Ellie decided to take matters in her own hands. She makes candles to sell and gets enough money to go with her friend to see the play. Billy is disappointed, but after overhearing Ellie speak to her friends about how highly she admires and loves her dad, Billy realizes his mistake. He gives away the remaining trees and heads back home with his family, spending quality time with them and making memories to last a lifetime.
December 24, 2023
Maybe 4.5. I really enjoyed reading it, a nice cozy read for by the 🎄❤️🎄. I love that it’s a true story. There is no gospel, fyi, but some lessons to be gleaned about generosity and even parenting our growing kids.
December 30, 2018
I love true stories, especially if they take place close to home. This is a sweet Christmas story where a dad learns a really hard, parenting lesson.
January 6, 2023
A heartfelt Christmas story and easy read.
December 22, 2024
Such a sweet Christmas story of the Romp family who go every year to Jane Street in downtown NYC to see Christmas trees from their Vermont farm. This was the Tenth Anniversary edition with very nice illustrations. It’s a lovely book and a lovely story.
December 11, 2019
A book club choice for 2019. A bit predictable but a pleasant choice. I would love to go find the stand. The shops sound amazing! And a big shout out to Ellie’s strong desire to see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. There us nothing like it I have ever seen. Loved it as a child. The tree coming up out of the floor!!!!! Loved it as an adult with a friend! I would glady go again!
December 23, 2020
I was looking for a little inspiring Christmas story. This fits the bill perfectly. A wonderful story about family, parenting, and Christmas. The author is a Vermonter whose family sells trees in NYC for a month each year. Want a smile or two? This is a good start.
December 2, 2012
Meh... I don't normally read this kind of thing, mostly I'm not into true stories, but I was considering getting it as a gift for someone and decided to at least check it out first. I didn't plan on even reading it.
I don't know really what to say about it. I was drawn into actually reading it because the idea of growing Christmas trees in Vermont (I assume they grow them? They never mentioned where they got them i don't think) and then living in New York for a month to sell them intrigued me. This is an odd family dynamic, at least the way it is illustrated in the story. For the first half of the book the wife seems to have nothing to do with the tree business or the interpersonal relationships between her husband and children. She's just off cooking all day? And why don't these kids go to school?? It is basically about a father and daughter disagreeing over something and the father over reacting. The girl wants to do something special with her friend and doesn't really understand the pretenses that her father is putting on her or the reasons why it isn't possible. The whole thing makes you wonder what is being left out and what is being fabricated. I don't really consider this a heartwarming story especially if you read the 10th anniversary edition that I read with the added on epilogue written years later
I decided not to buy this as a gift for someone after all after reading it only because the subject matter and story didn't seem like it would fit the person i intended to give it to. A short little book about a charming family but a little long winded in places considering how short it was.
I don't know really what to say about it. I was drawn into actually reading it because the idea of growing Christmas trees in Vermont (I assume they grow them? They never mentioned where they got them i don't think) and then living in New York for a month to sell them intrigued me. This is an odd family dynamic, at least the way it is illustrated in the story. For the first half of the book the wife seems to have nothing to do with the tree business or the interpersonal relationships between her husband and children. She's just off cooking all day? And why don't these kids go to school?? It is basically about a father and daughter disagreeing over something and the father over reacting. The girl wants to do something special with her friend and doesn't really understand the pretenses that her father is putting on her or the reasons why it isn't possible. The whole thing makes you wonder what is being left out and what is being fabricated. I don't really consider this a heartwarming story especially if you read the 10th anniversary edition that I read with the added on epilogue written years later
I decided not to buy this as a gift for someone after all after reading it only because the subject matter and story didn't seem like it would fit the person i intended to give it to. A short little book about a charming family but a little long winded in places considering how short it was.
December 5, 2015
A Vermont farm family spends a month each year in New York City selling Christmas trees. This month makes up a major portion of their annual income and sometimes the father becomes a bit to focussed on the sales. This story takes place in one of those years. The family is experiencing financial problems and simultaneously their daughter is starting to grow up and develop a sense of independence. When Ellie starts to show an interest in things that her father considers trivial, he starts to experience unexpected, but he fully believes, justifiable anger. This book is the story of that month and how the family reconciles and celebrates a meaningful Christmas together.
For most of the book the father comes off as a bit emotionally unstable in his resistance to his daughter's desire to see a ballet. He has personal justifications for it, plus it's a stressful time financially, and watching kids get older can be tough especially when a parent doesn't see it coming, so in reality it was an emotionally unstable time for him. Ultimately parents aren't perfect and I suspect most will relate to the story on some level.
I just didn't find it a very interesting story, much of it felt forced, the resolution was weak. Learning about Christmas tree was interesting, but only a tiny part of the story. There were Christmas trees, presents, snow, the Nutcracker, Christmas parties, and what I presume was a happy ending, but it wasn't what I really want in holiday read. I've read non-fiction books about Christmases during WWII and fictional murder mysteries that were more uplifting and filled with Christmas joy.
For most of the book the father comes off as a bit emotionally unstable in his resistance to his daughter's desire to see a ballet. He has personal justifications for it, plus it's a stressful time financially, and watching kids get older can be tough especially when a parent doesn't see it coming, so in reality it was an emotionally unstable time for him. Ultimately parents aren't perfect and I suspect most will relate to the story on some level.
I just didn't find it a very interesting story, much of it felt forced, the resolution was weak. Learning about Christmas tree was interesting, but only a tiny part of the story. There were Christmas trees, presents, snow, the Nutcracker, Christmas parties, and what I presume was a happy ending, but it wasn't what I really want in holiday read. I've read non-fiction books about Christmases during WWII and fictional murder mysteries that were more uplifting and filled with Christmas joy.
February 17, 2014
Story Description:
HarperCollins|October 27, 2008|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-06-162642-5
The warm, wonderful, real-life tale of the family that brings the Christmas spirit to life on a street corner in Manhattan.
Every holiday season for nearly twenty years, Billy Romp, his wife, and their three children have spent nearly a month living in a tiny camper and selling Christmas trees on Jane Street in New York City. They arrive from Vermont the day after Thanksgiving and leave just in time to make it home for Christmas - and for a few weeks they transform a corner of the Big Apple into a Frank Capra-esque small town alive with heartwarming holiday spirit.
CHRISTMAS ON JANE STREET is about the transformative power of love - love of parent and child, of merchant and customer, of stranger and neighbor. The ideal Christmas story, it is about the lasting and profound difference that one person can make to a family and one family can make to a community.
A lovely, lovingly illustrated little gem of a book, this delightful tenth anniversary edition of a beloved Christmas classic tells the poignant, inspiring story of an unforgettable family and the warm, wide circle of friends who have welcomed them to the neighborhood.
My Review:
I can't really add much to the synopsis above that would tell you anything more other than to say the family learns a valuable lesson this particular Christmas. Especially the father. This was a really great feel good story and made for a perfect couple hours of reading. Highly recommended.
HarperCollins|October 27, 2008|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-06-162642-5
The warm, wonderful, real-life tale of the family that brings the Christmas spirit to life on a street corner in Manhattan.
Every holiday season for nearly twenty years, Billy Romp, his wife, and their three children have spent nearly a month living in a tiny camper and selling Christmas trees on Jane Street in New York City. They arrive from Vermont the day after Thanksgiving and leave just in time to make it home for Christmas - and for a few weeks they transform a corner of the Big Apple into a Frank Capra-esque small town alive with heartwarming holiday spirit.
CHRISTMAS ON JANE STREET is about the transformative power of love - love of parent and child, of merchant and customer, of stranger and neighbor. The ideal Christmas story, it is about the lasting and profound difference that one person can make to a family and one family can make to a community.
A lovely, lovingly illustrated little gem of a book, this delightful tenth anniversary edition of a beloved Christmas classic tells the poignant, inspiring story of an unforgettable family and the warm, wide circle of friends who have welcomed them to the neighborhood.
My Review:
I can't really add much to the synopsis above that would tell you anything more other than to say the family learns a valuable lesson this particular Christmas. Especially the father. This was a really great feel good story and made for a perfect couple hours of reading. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2014
I'm sorry to say that I did not like this story, although I kept reading it because it is so short (about 100 pages) and I hoped to find more to like. I think the problem is that the authors set out to create a Christmas classic, but in the process created too many stereotypes, even though the book is based in the author's life. The story is told in the first person, from the perspective of the father, Billy Romp, and that creates two problems: First, the author is looking back on a lesson he learned after he has learned it, and so there is some cognitive dissonance as his more mature self and the person he was at the time the story takes place. And that person is not much fun, with his blinders to the mistakes he's making as a parent and his all-work-no-grace attitude toward life, along with his forceful attempts to guide his daughter, which just put a damper on everything. It's hard to read the story when you don't like the narrator much, or become impatient with him and want to give him a good talking-to. Second, because of the first-person narrative, the reader does not get to know what the daughter, Romp's wife, the other children, or their acquaintances and friends are thinking, and that would have filled in a lot of gaps and enriched the book greatly. So if I had been Romp's editor, I would have suggested a third-person omniscient point of view to make the story deeper (and longer).
December 4, 2015
So, I was feeling the story initially. It's a true story of a Vermont couple and their three young kids who go to NYC every December to sell Xmas trees. This is definitely story worthy. I always wondered about the people selling the trees so it gives u some insight into their lives. Also, who doesn't love hearing about NYC at Xmas? However, the middle part of the book started to piss me off. The dad gets all pissy about his daughter wanting to see the Nutcracker even when she raises the money to go. He is real country and acts like this is some serious high living. He comes off ignorant and jerky when he tells his kid she shouldn't spend money on fleeting moments. Say what???....this is what makes life--cultural experiences and memories that you'll always remember (and that will get you a book deal, guy). Anyways, he realizes he is a psycho dad trying to control his daughter (whats up with some dads being not feminist and trying to keep a "daddys little girl" creepy think going?) as she grows up and differs from him. It ends with realizing he needs to let her by herself and apologizes to her. They then go do some wholesome Xmas activities that to be honest seem embellished for a better story. Apparently, the couple is now divorced and his daughter got pregnant at 16 and has been through some rough spots.
December 14, 2012
I read this book in a few short hours during the Christmas season. If you need an easy read one night to escape the shopping-wrapping-decorating frenzy, this might be the book for you. I felt the writing was a bit simple and sappy, and a small family issue was blown up into a book. And I can only assume the kids were home schooled since they took a month off each year, and no mention of school exists. But this was an odd enough issue for the author to address since so many people are obviously confused about that situation.
When I bought this book, it would explore the NYC characters more, and their interactions with the family, instead of just providing the backdrop. I thought that part of the book fell short. First published in 1999, the anniversary edition was published in 2008, and the afterword gives you information about the family since the first publishing. It was nice to know what happened to them after that Christmas.
The little illustrations are great, I loved their style, and I think they worth a mention.
All-in-all, it was OK, but I think there are better Christmas books out there.
When I bought this book, it would explore the NYC characters more, and their interactions with the family, instead of just providing the backdrop. I thought that part of the book fell short. First published in 1999, the anniversary edition was published in 2008, and the afterword gives you information about the family since the first publishing. It was nice to know what happened to them after that Christmas.
The little illustrations are great, I loved their style, and I think they worth a mention.
All-in-all, it was OK, but I think there are better Christmas books out there.
January 1, 2014
This is a short book, but very interesting and enjoyable. The Romp family has been coming to Jane Street in New York City for years. They arrive the day after Thanksgiving in their camper, and stay until the end of the day on Christmas Eve, selling Christmas trees, wreaths, and bows from their Vermont farm.
The book details one particular year, when Billy (the father) feels that his eldest daughter Ellie is moving away from him and the family, suddenly having different interests and values. He details how it changed the whole family dynamic, and what he discovered about himself and his family, as well as the people they have come to know each year during the holidays.
If you want a holiday book that evokes the best of New York at holiday time, as well as a simple story about a real family, you'll enjoy this book. I found their life during the time they were on Jane Street each year to be fascinating, and I could see myself rereading this on a regular basis.
At the end of the edition I read, there is an afterword, where Billy catches us up on what has happened to the family since then.
It all makes you want to go out and buy a Christmas tree from his family!
The book details one particular year, when Billy (the father) feels that his eldest daughter Ellie is moving away from him and the family, suddenly having different interests and values. He details how it changed the whole family dynamic, and what he discovered about himself and his family, as well as the people they have come to know each year during the holidays.
If you want a holiday book that evokes the best of New York at holiday time, as well as a simple story about a real family, you'll enjoy this book. I found their life during the time they were on Jane Street each year to be fascinating, and I could see myself rereading this on a regular basis.
At the end of the edition I read, there is an afterword, where Billy catches us up on what has happened to the family since then.
It all makes you want to go out and buy a Christmas tree from his family!
December 21, 2013
A quick, but wonderful Christmas memoir. The Romp family is a real family that sells Christmas trees each December at a stand on Jane St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan. The father tells the story of one year that was particularly special for him and his daughter, Ellie. She is growing up and no longer seems enamored by everything about her father. Sensing her growing distance as a threat, her dad tries to hold on to her through discipline and pressure. Unable to forcibly control his headstrong daughter, Billy is finally persuaded by his wife to take a closer look at his motives.
I really enjoyed reading this title during the Christmas season. It is a short book that I could read in a day. The neighborhood setting is delightful, as are the people who obviously look forward to the Romp family and their annual campout on their corner during the weeks preceding Christmas. As a parent, I found important lessons to learn seeing through the eyes of this special family and this pivotal year in their lives.
I really enjoyed reading this title during the Christmas season. It is a short book that I could read in a day. The neighborhood setting is delightful, as are the people who obviously look forward to the Romp family and their annual campout on their corner during the weeks preceding Christmas. As a parent, I found important lessons to learn seeing through the eyes of this special family and this pivotal year in their lives.
January 18, 2015
This book read like fiction, with effortless simple yet descriptive prose, telling the story of a family from Vermont who spend their Decembers in Manhattan, selling Christmas trees. The main focus of the book is the story of Ellie—the eldest of the three Romp children (and only girl), eleven years old at the time the story takes place, eleven and already seeming on her way to becoming an adult—and Billy, her father, with whom she is very close (though not so much that December).
I felt that this tale is one of those subtly inspirational ones, told with family values at its heart, but fortunately lacking any preachy tone that maybe some other inspirational stories—especially the ones involving faith of any kind—may have.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I am sad that it was such a fast read because it was so good. I would love to read more about this family and all of their endeavors and successes.
I felt that this tale is one of those subtly inspirational ones, told with family values at its heart, but fortunately lacking any preachy tone that maybe some other inspirational stories—especially the ones involving faith of any kind—may have.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I am sad that it was such a fast read because it was so good. I would love to read more about this family and all of their endeavors and successes.
December 11, 2015
Every year right after Thanksgiving, the Romp family drives from their Vermont farm to Greenwich Village and spends December amid the bustle of the city, living in a camper and selling Christmas trees at a sidewalk stand. Over the years, they have developed strong friendships in their second home. It is a treasured family ritual and is vital to their economic survival.
The year recounted in this book, Billy Romp has trouble accepting that his daughter is growing up. The conflict threatens to spoil the season for him but ultimately teaches him "the true meaning of Christmas" and, more importantly, what raising children is all about.
"True meaning of Christmas" stories can be treacly and contrived, but this one is charming and unusual. It's a pleasant way to spend an evening in December.
The year recounted in this book, Billy Romp has trouble accepting that his daughter is growing up. The conflict threatens to spoil the season for him but ultimately teaches him "the true meaning of Christmas" and, more importantly, what raising children is all about.
"True meaning of Christmas" stories can be treacly and contrived, but this one is charming and unusual. It's a pleasant way to spend an evening in December.
December 12, 2012
This is a short read (150 pages, small book) that has very strong themes -- esp. to a father in raising his kids (could be mother, as well) --- I think it would also be a good read for a kid, too, because of the strong themes, but it especially talks to the parents. It's a true story , and the epilogue gives an update on the real life people in the past 7 years, since the book was written in 2005. It has a Christmastime storyline, so I'm esp. glad I read it during the holiday season --- made the story even better. I recommend this, esp. sitting by a cozy christmas tree with a mug of glug!
November 20, 2011
This was a more interesting book than I thought it would be. For one thing, it is non fiction, not the product of someone's imagination. Basically, Billy Romp, wife Patti, teenage daughter Ellie and sons Henry and Timmy come to New York City each year to sell Christmas trees from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Ellie starts to be rebellious, and Billy doesn't know how to handle it. There is also a 10 years later followup at the back of the book I have. Charming and delightful--not hokey.
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