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O Christmas Tree
This Christmas, Anslem wants a Christmas tree more than anything else in the world. He wants "to touch it and smell it and get a feel and a smell of real Christmas."
But there are no Christmas trees in the West Indies where Anslem lives. He must depend on the boat that brings evergreens from the north. In past years, the trees arrived fresh and green. But this year, the first year his family can afford a tree, the evergreens are so dry that not a single tree has a single needle on it. Anslem is deeply disappointed, until his neighbor Miss Mary shows him that the West Indies have a beautiful Christmas tree of their own.
Vashanti Rahaman's touching story, inspired by her childhood and filled with the flavor and rhythm of the West Indies, is beautifully illustrated by Frané Lessac with the bright and festive colors of the Caribbean. Here is how one boy celebrates Christmas in a land that for many young readers seems far, far away.
-from the inside cover
But there are no Christmas trees in the West Indies where Anslem lives. He must depend on the boat that brings evergreens from the north. In past years, the trees arrived fresh and green. But this year, the first year his family can afford a tree, the evergreens are so dry that not a single tree has a single needle on it. Anslem is deeply disappointed, until his neighbor Miss Mary shows him that the West Indies have a beautiful Christmas tree of their own.
Vashanti Rahaman's touching story, inspired by her childhood and filled with the flavor and rhythm of the West Indies, is beautifully illustrated by Frané Lessac with the bright and festive colors of the Caribbean. Here is how one boy celebrates Christmas in a land that for many young readers seems far, far away.
-from the inside cover
- GenresChristmasPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1996
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 30, 2013
Subgroup: Afro Caribbean, Religion
Genre: Fiction- Realistic Fiction
Topics: Christmas, poverty, loving what you already have in front of you
Synopsis: This story is about the unique Christmas traditions that have developed in the West Indies. The main character, Anslem, is excited because this year his family is going to get a real Christmas tree. When he goes to meet the boats that bring fresh evergreens, he finds out that all the trees have died on the journey to their island. He tries to make his own tree and paints it white to look like snow, but it falls over and breaks. He complains to Miss Mary that he still wants a real Christmas tree. She says that, "Nice could be right in front of you, but you busy looking behind." At the end of the book Anslem realizes the true Christmas "trees" are the Poinsettias that are home to the Caribbean islands and bloom every Christmas.
7) Rahaman, V. (1996). O Christmas Tree. Honesdale, PA: Caroline House.
Genre: Fiction- Realistic Fiction
Topics: Christmas, poverty, loving what you already have in front of you
Synopsis: This story is about the unique Christmas traditions that have developed in the West Indies. The main character, Anslem, is excited because this year his family is going to get a real Christmas tree. When he goes to meet the boats that bring fresh evergreens, he finds out that all the trees have died on the journey to their island. He tries to make his own tree and paints it white to look like snow, but it falls over and breaks. He complains to Miss Mary that he still wants a real Christmas tree. She says that, "Nice could be right in front of you, but you busy looking behind." At the end of the book Anslem realizes the true Christmas "trees" are the Poinsettias that are home to the Caribbean islands and bloom every Christmas.
7) Rahaman, V. (1996). O Christmas Tree. Honesdale, PA: Caroline House.
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January 18, 2016Knowing that the author is Trinidadian, I tried not to wince at the dialect -- because it's authentic for her, is not some white person faking it -- but it's unfamiliar enough to me that it still felt strange.
I like the idea of the story. It felt a little too text-heavy, and the illustration style often makes it feel difficult to know where to focus one's eyes.
I like the idea of the story. It felt a little too text-heavy, and the illustration style often makes it feel difficult to know where to focus one's eyes.
May 10, 2023
The 52-book club reading challenge prompt #17 "By A Caribbean Author" The children of Trinidad are excited for Christmas. Anslem wants a Christmas tree like he sees in the stories. But these trees do NOT do well in the islands and his family is poor. So, Miss Mary helps to point out the native plants and their beauty. Poinsettias are for Christmas. The vibrant colors in the artwork make you feel like you are visiting the Islands for the holidays. Enjoy.
December 13, 2019
A patron asked for this book by saying "it is a Carribean Christmas story about poinsettias." Once we found it, I had to read it. It is too advanced for storytime, but I could read it to my homeschool group, or a group of school-aged kids. The patron loves it, and I like that it talks about Christmas being not in the decorations and traditions, but on the inside.
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November 25, 2018Anselm desperately wants a real Christmas tree.
Read my full review on my blog, Caribbean Children's Books.
Read my full review on my blog, Caribbean Children's Books.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews