The Trees of the Dancing Goats

by Patricia Polacco

Trisha loves the eight days of Hanukkah, when her mother stays home from work, her Babushka makes delicious potato latkes, and her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts for Trisha and her brother. In the middle of her family's preparation for the festival of lights, Trisha visits her closest neighbors, expecting to find them decorating their house for Christmas. Instead they are all bedridden with scarlet fever. Trisha's family is one of the few who has been spared from the epidemic. It is difficult for them to enjoy their Hanukkah feast when they know that their neighbors won't be able to celebrate their holiday. Then Grampa has an they will cut down trees, decorate them, and secretly deliver them to the neighbors, "But what can we decorate them with?" Babushka asks. Although it is a sacrifice, Trisha realizes that Grampa's carved animals are the perfect answer. Soon her living room is filled with trees -- but that is only the first miracle of many during an incredible holiday season.
Based on a long cherished childhood memory, this story celebrates the miracle of true friendship.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Jewish, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Patricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great picture book/memoir by Patricia Polacco! This story takes place during the Christmas/Hanukkah season. I highly recommend this book as a read-aloud, especially if you want to focus on kindness, generosity and/or empathy!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those truly heartwarming stories that focuses on what the holidays, religion, and humanity are supposed to be about (but manages not to sound preachy!) When illness strikes their Christian neighbors in a small farming community, Trisha's Jewish family (the only ones escaping the fever) helps deliver Christmas to the other homes, decorating small fir trees with some of the wooden animal toys that Trisha's grandfather carved for their Hanukkah celebration. A beautiful tale of love and friendship!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently reading quite a few books by her, Patricia Polacco is now one of my favorite authors. Her picture books touch my heart in a way that no other children’s picture books have ever done. Her books are special gifts to readers of all ages.

This is a superb story about inter-faith friendship and being a good neighbor. The illustrations are wonderful. The title didn’t appeal to me but once I read the story I loved the title too.

I put this on my fiction shelf, but as with (almost) all of Polacco’s books, this one is based on personal memories of her childhood. I’m tempted to put it on my non-fiction shelf.

Tricia (the author Patricia!) and her family are preparing for Hanukkah. Several of their Christian neighbors are stricken with scarlet fever, and their Christmas celebrations are threatened. What Tricia’s family does to ensure that their friends are able to celebrate their Christmas holiday and what Tricia’s best friend’s family does in return, when they are well, makes this story so special and memorable.

This is a perfect story to read during the eight days of Hanukkah and would make a fine story to read at Christmastime too.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about a Jewish family coming to the rescue of their Christian neighbors who are sick with scarlet fever at Christmas/Hanukkah time with originally decorated trees, the trees of the dancing goats.

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trees of the Dancing Goats is one of the sweetest, most poignant Christmas/Hanukkah stories I have read to date. Focussing on harmony, peace, religious tolerance, and being good neighbours, the narrative manages to accomplish all this without being in any way preachy or moralising. And while there is definitely (and understandably) fear in Trisha's family that she might have been exposed to scarlet fever, there also is never any blame or intolerance cast at the Kremmels. Instead, Trisha, and her family do their best to make a happy Christmas for their stricken neighbours, even though because they are Jewish, Christmas it is not even their tradition and culture. With regard to the illustrations, while like with much if not most of Patricia Polacco's artwork, I would not generally enjoy the former all that much on their own, they do work exceedingly well with the text, with the narrative, both mirroring and expanding it (and the trees of the dancing goats and the wooden menorah the Kremmels then make to reciprocate really do need to be seen, to be visualised, and the colour scheme used is just so bright and appealing). Highly recommended for everyone!

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into a house on a farm where Russian grandparents are preparing for Hanukkah. Scarlet Fever comes to their town and their Christian neighbours are ill and cannot prepare for their celebrations. The family come up with ideas to help them.

We loved the look into busy family life, traditions and beliefs, again we found the illustrations frustrating, although they have their strong points there are a few bad points too. My daughter thought there might be something wrong with their hands and thought this was a symptom of scarlet fever as they look very swolen and look disturbing on the young children. It's hard to be good at everything though and we did like the story.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eight days of Hanukkah had always been one of Trisha's favorite times of the year. Her Ukrainian-born Babushka would make hand-dipped candles for the Menorah, and cook delicious latkes. Her Georgian-born Grandpa would carve colorful animals out of wood - presents for Trisha and her brother, Richard. Best of all, Momma would have two weeks off from her job as a school-teacher, and the entire family would be together on their Michigan farm! But when Trisha and her family learn that most of the members of their small farming community have been stricken with scarlet fever, and are unable to prepare for or celebrate their own holiday - that of Christmas - they decide to share the joy of the season with their neighbors...

Apparently based on an actual event from Patricia Polacco's own youth, The Trees of the Dancing Goats is a heart-warming holiday tale that emphasizes the importance of friendship and community, of sharing our blessings with others, and respecting diverse beliefs. I found myself tearing up, as I reached the conclusion. Truly a wonderful book, one that can be appreciated by those who celebrate Hanukkah, those who celebrate Christmas, those who celebrate both, and those who don't celebrate either one.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never actually found a copy of this book; I should just order it from Amazon. It was published many years ago in the Lands End Christmas catalog and I've never forgotten it. It's a great story about being true neighbors. It's a beautifully written tale about a Jewish family that makes Christmas special for neighboring families who have been stricken by a flu epidemic. It made me cry.

Why is it that my favorite Christmas stories are the ones that make me cry?

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before moving to Virginia, we had only read one or maybe two books by Patricia Polacco. But I saw that our girls' Elementary school seemed to really be enthralled with this author. I later found out that they had won an anti-bullying contest and earned a mural painted on their library wall by Patricia Polacco. Intrigued, we started to read more and more of her stories and we have loved every one so far. Her illustrations are so full of emotion and her narratives are very touching, very raw, and very real.

This story is no different and we loved the neighborly closeness, even when the closest neighbors are a half mile away. We loved the theme of giving to others and making the holidays special, even for, especially for those who belong to a different faith. And the warmth and joy of being together as a family is something that money just can't buy. I love that it is based on a true story and I am tempted to mark it as non-fiction. It's a great story and earns a rare five-star rating from me. (I'm glad it was chosen as a December read for the Children's Books group.)

This book was featured as one of the selections for the March 2016: Books Featuring Crafts for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

This book was also featured as one of the selections for the December 2023: Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Winter Solstice) for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

This book was also mentioned in the June, July, August 2025 -- The Ukraine and Ukrainians discussion in the Fiction Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Joanna Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polacco is a treasure.

[Crystal Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. I loved the message in this story to bring the holiday spirit to others in need regardless of whether or not they celebrate the holidays the same way as you. This is truly a heartwarming tale and I do appreciate that this book comes from Patricia Polacco’s real life events. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas I think you will enjoy this story.

I especially enjoyed feeling the closeness of this family and felt they were always this close even when it wasn’t the holidays. Grampa worked very hard on his carved animals he made as gifts for Trisha and her brother. For Grampa and Trisha to decide that giving the animals to their sick neighbors as decorations was the right thing to do was soooo special! It was moving to read about Grampa and Babushka going to each family’s home who was suffering with Scarlet Fever to deliver the little Christmas trees knowing in their hearts “God will protect, God will protect…this I know.”

A Picture Book Club "Winter" read found here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hoped to read all of Polacco's books in 2014, but alas fell short of that goal. Rich in detail and personal history, her books bring a rich meaning to family values.

As her beloved Babuska prepares for Hanukkah, her loving grandfather hand crafts lovely wooded animal toys. As her brother Ralph and she grow excited by the day, they relish the time when their school teacher mother will have two weeks to be with them on their grand parents Michigan farm.

On a cold winter night, when the snow is thick and white, the family learns that their Christian neighbors are ill with Scarlet Fever. Extending love and kindness, the family finds small trees to decorate with the hand carved animals. Delivering the gifts during the snow storm, leaves them with a warm feeling.

When the neighbors are better, they provide a hand-made Menorah. The best thing about not reaching my goal, is that there are so many more wonderful books of this author to cherish and read in 2015.

[Mark Robison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading a handful of children’s books each year, and two people I follow on Goodreads really like this author so I picked this one from the library purely based on the title because I have goats — six to be exact, and they are wonderful. The book is not about goats (it’s about a holiday season where family and friends are more important than presents), and I’m unsure who the audience is for this book because I don’t see kids being drawn to it, but I am so glad I read it. It reminds me of the short stories my mom used to write about her childhood, in a much earlier time with a deep religious culture permeating events but never in a proselytizing way. Love fills every page, and the artwork is kind and inviting. Grade: B+

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dancing Goats" is the Hanukkah/Christmas mash-up you were looking for (even if you weren't). All these modern takes worry too much on the material aspects, instead of putting forth a message of grace and kindness. Neighborly kindness, which is a dwindling virtue. And respect for BOTH religions, not a tolerance of one, and an envy of the other.

How I hadn't read this Patricia Polacco book is beyond me! Honesty is the hallmark of her stories, whether they come from family memories like "The Trees of the Dancing Goats," or from her pure imagination. Polacco creates worlds you wish were present reality.

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems like a strange title, but once you've read the story, it seems perfectly natural. I loved this story of a Jewish family who bring Christmas to their neighbors during a scarlet fever epidemic.

I don't understand why most of Polacco's books are considered fiction yet seem to be drawn completely from her life experiences. I guess it doesn't really matter, though. Fictionalized a little or fictionalized a lot, this is an excellent story to read around Christmas and/or Hanukkah.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trisha's family celebrates the festival of lights while their neighbors celebrate Christmas. But when scarlet fever spreads amongst the neighbors, it is up to Trisha's family to do some cheering up.

I appreciate Trisha's perspective of the different celebrations and how regardless of beliefs/traditions, friendship trumps all. The illustrations are cozy.

[What April's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about families from different religion, how they celebrate, and how they help each other.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: 3.5 stars

Book, by book, we're gaining insight into Patricia Polacco and her family. After reading 5 or so of her autobiographical stories, I think I'll put them together and then, with one of the kids, we can see how taken together, we know quite a bit about Ms Polacco. This will be an example of autobiographical writing that the kids will be quick to grasp.

Other reviewers have mentioned the strong holiday messages woven into the tale, but I also like the opportunity to comment on scarlet fever and quarantines, neither of which are familiar to most kids. (And my grandmother had scarlet fever and was quarantined in her own house. Her husband wasn't even allowed in the house.)

2025, careful reading
Yep, this is a keeper.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book based on Patricia Polacco's childhood. Her family is preparing to celebrate Hanukkah. Their neighbors are preparing for Christmas when they become very ill with scarlet fever. Polacco's family decorates and delivers trees and food to their neighbors...brightening everyone's holiday season. I love that it connects both celebrations...Hanukkah and Christmas. I love the kindness and generosity and neighborliness shown by all. I love that it, like many of Polacco's books is drawn from her own life. It is a good reminder that as we reach outside ourselves and show kindness to others, our heart is lifted and our day is brightened.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good combination of story and illustration. I always enjoy Polacco's illustrations when they are in the fol art tradition. This is a good story where the Jewish family mkes Christmas for the Protestant family who is ill with scarlet fever. the story also shows how rural farm families care for one another regardless of race, creed, or scoial economic status.

The two illustrations of the farm kitchen were especially appealing to me with the iron cooking stove, the ice tongs hanging above the wooden icebox, and the preparations of the food.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Polacco reaches into her memory and then puts pen and brush to paper. Delightful stories, beautiful illustrations - a favorite author/illustrator. The Trees of the Dancing Goats can be added to the list.

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

For our family, the holiday season means celebrating the birth of Christ, appreciating the glory of Nature, and devouring a delicious latke. Finally, a children's book that honors our cross-cultural holiday traditions.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the most beautiful message! I LOVED how their neighbors were of all different faith, but they didn't just accept each other - they loved and celebrated each other. I admit I had tears in my eyes by the end.

[Maria Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lively inter faith Christmas Story.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of memory, family, friendship and the co-mingling of two different holiday's! Polacco's art is as beautiful as always.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE Patricia Polacco books! Got a few more for Christmas. They are real, heartwarming, filled with family, hope, and appreciation of the small things in life. I started collecting books relating to Russia when my oldest was a baby. . .and have a nice collection of Russian children's literature. In the last few years I happened upon Patricia Polacco. Many of her books refer to Russia or have Russian characters. I have added her books to my collection. You can never read a P. Polacco book without coming away with your heart warmed and a smile on your face, maybe even a tear. Highly recommend anything she writes!

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a family celebrating the Hanukkah festivities while neighbors come down with scarlet fever. The traditional pictures are endearing and portrays the story beautifully.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with fun illustrations!

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michigan family. Jewish grandfather is from Soviet Georgia (south Russia). Babushka is from Kiev.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Jewish farming family in Michigan is surrounded by other farmers, Christian and this is a just wonderful story of other farmers helping each other out through a scarlet fever epidemic. And joining the holidays together in remembrance of God and showing the spirit of friends helping friends. Loved it. Also, loved that of course it had to be Grandpa’s Ford in a book about Michigan. 😉