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A Christmas Tree for Lydia
Eddy's dad was killed in the war, and his mom was just fired. But Lydia is only four and still believes that Santa will bring a Christmas tree. Can he bring Christmas joy to the family?
- GenresChristmas
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
70 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Enright
37 books283 followersElizabeth Wright Enright Gillham was an American writer of children's books, an illustrator, writer of short stories for adults, literary critic and teacher of creative writing. Perhaps best known as the Newbery Medal-winning author of Thimble Summer (1938) and the Newbery runner-up Gone-Away Lake (1957), she also wrote the popular Melendy quartet (1941 to 1951). A Newbery Medal laureate and a multiple winner of the O. Henry Award, her short stories and articles for adults appeared in many popular magazines and have been reprinted in anthologies and textbooks.
In 2012 Gone-Away Lake was ranked number 42 among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience. The first two Melendy books also made the Top 100, The Saturdays and The Four-Story Mistake.
In 2012 Gone-Away Lake was ranked number 42 among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience. The first two Melendy books also made the Top 100, The Saturdays and The Four-Story Mistake.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 23, 2023
Because of the original simple line illustrations by the author, this may look like a story for children. But Enright's memorable unusual descriptions & insight require an adult maturity to appreciate.
Story first appeared in 1947 WOMENS HOME COMPANION magazine (under title A TREE FOR LYDIA), then as 1951 small book reprint with full title. Also has been included in collections of Christmas stories in 1970's & 90's.
(In my other recent reviews are clues to help track down resources for help in finding copies, as if participating in imaginative treasure hunt in Enright's book SPIDERWEB FOR TWO: "A Melendy Maze". Don't want to make quest too easy so copies don't disappear from public access due to those who don't consider sharing with other book lovers.)
Another Melendy novel by Enright, 1942 FOUR-STORY MISTAKE describes a war time Christmas that because children put their creativity to work & really appreciate their blessings, may enjoy much more than getting many costly gifts (that as J.K. Rowling reminds us, are often soon forgotten by many "more fortunate"--i.e. overindulged--recipients).
See also my recent reviews for picture books with related themes, HOME IN THE WOODS by Eliza Wheeler & version of TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS featuring Latinx traditions, TWAS NOCHEBUENA.
Some quotes from CHRISTMAS TREE FOR LYDIA: "After a while his kindness became preocupied like that of one who drinks secretly at a spring of inspiration."
Mother: What do you expect, a miracle? Boy: Isn't there ever any miracles?
(Nine-year old brother of little Lydia is depicted by Enright with short hair & sneakers, flying thru the air with angel wings.) "He felt proud, generous and efficient. He felt successful."
Eddy reminds me of title character in another favorite book, TOMAS TAKES CHARGE (aka CHILDREN IN HIDING) which also has language that adults will relish. Woman who gives boy food advice is described as "grandmother shaped". Falls into category of appealing survival stories I call "Robinson Crusoe in Manhattan". Contrast this 1966 book with 1967 FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, about more privileged kids.
Other stories about happy tho not materially well-off children on Manhattan include Enright's SATURDAYS (who live in a shabby but fascinating old brownstone), as well as Jewish immigrant ALL OF A KIND FAMILY set in Lower East Side in early 1900's--about the time & area that Jacob Kowalsky lived in FANTASTIC BEASTS movies (and actor who portrays him said his grandfather lived).
Recently my book club appreciated recommendations of nominated titles on LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK AWARD, especially as a break from too many "best of the year" lists full of novels about young, white (well-off) New Yorkers. One reason I enjoyed 2023 ENCHANTED HACIENDA (adult title by author who writes mostly for younger readers about Hispanic characters, Aztec mythology) is that protagonist who moved to NYC to work in publishing, at start of book very publically dumps her snobby boyfriend & goes back to her female family-run flower farm in Mexico. Good move, girl!
PLEASE, more diverse characters, settings & situations, starting with ones for the young like these above by people who write from their own experiences--unlike creators of WEST SIDE STORY as revealed in article about remake.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/11/entert...
When you've read some of above recommendations, will get connection with this idea for New Year's Resolution
https://grist.org/international/in-fr...
Story first appeared in 1947 WOMENS HOME COMPANION magazine (under title A TREE FOR LYDIA), then as 1951 small book reprint with full title. Also has been included in collections of Christmas stories in 1970's & 90's.
(In my other recent reviews are clues to help track down resources for help in finding copies, as if participating in imaginative treasure hunt in Enright's book SPIDERWEB FOR TWO: "A Melendy Maze". Don't want to make quest too easy so copies don't disappear from public access due to those who don't consider sharing with other book lovers.)
Another Melendy novel by Enright, 1942 FOUR-STORY MISTAKE describes a war time Christmas that because children put their creativity to work & really appreciate their blessings, may enjoy much more than getting many costly gifts (that as J.K. Rowling reminds us, are often soon forgotten by many "more fortunate"--i.e. overindulged--recipients).
See also my recent reviews for picture books with related themes, HOME IN THE WOODS by Eliza Wheeler & version of TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS featuring Latinx traditions, TWAS NOCHEBUENA.
Some quotes from CHRISTMAS TREE FOR LYDIA: "After a while his kindness became preocupied like that of one who drinks secretly at a spring of inspiration."
Mother: What do you expect, a miracle? Boy: Isn't there ever any miracles?
(Nine-year old brother of little Lydia is depicted by Enright with short hair & sneakers, flying thru the air with angel wings.) "He felt proud, generous and efficient. He felt successful."
Eddy reminds me of title character in another favorite book, TOMAS TAKES CHARGE (aka CHILDREN IN HIDING) which also has language that adults will relish. Woman who gives boy food advice is described as "grandmother shaped". Falls into category of appealing survival stories I call "Robinson Crusoe in Manhattan". Contrast this 1966 book with 1967 FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, about more privileged kids.
Other stories about happy tho not materially well-off children on Manhattan include Enright's SATURDAYS (who live in a shabby but fascinating old brownstone), as well as Jewish immigrant ALL OF A KIND FAMILY set in Lower East Side in early 1900's--about the time & area that Jacob Kowalsky lived in FANTASTIC BEASTS movies (and actor who portrays him said his grandfather lived).
Recently my book club appreciated recommendations of nominated titles on LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK AWARD, especially as a break from too many "best of the year" lists full of novels about young, white (well-off) New Yorkers. One reason I enjoyed 2023 ENCHANTED HACIENDA (adult title by author who writes mostly for younger readers about Hispanic characters, Aztec mythology) is that protagonist who moved to NYC to work in publishing, at start of book very publically dumps her snobby boyfriend & goes back to her female family-run flower farm in Mexico. Good move, girl!
PLEASE, more diverse characters, settings & situations, starting with ones for the young like these above by people who write from their own experiences--unlike creators of WEST SIDE STORY as revealed in article about remake.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/11/entert...
When you've read some of above recommendations, will get connection with this idea for New Year's Resolution
https://grist.org/international/in-fr...
April 21, 2025
I'm not crying, you're crying. This is not an easy story/book to get one's hands on, but if you can, please read it. It is so beautiful. It is achy and painful and you want to help the dear mother in the story, but it is beautiful all the same. This story reminded me of a precious Christmas in our family when Santa was also late and it was a most miraculous Christmas.
"Oh, all right," Mother said. "For pity's sake, Eddy. What do you expect, a miracle?"
"Isn't there ever any miracles? Anyway I'm not thinking about a miracle, I'm thinking about something smart," Eddy said. (How I wish I could embrace young Eddy and explain to him that his something smart was the greatest miracle of all.)
"Mother went in and shut the door, and before the extraordinary sounds of toil and shuffling commenced in the hall she was lost in the deep sleep of the discouraged: that temporary death which is free from all the images of fear and joy."
"Oh, all right," Mother said. "For pity's sake, Eddy. What do you expect, a miracle?"
"Isn't there ever any miracles? Anyway I'm not thinking about a miracle, I'm thinking about something smart," Eddy said. (How I wish I could embrace young Eddy and explain to him that his something smart was the greatest miracle of all.)
"Mother went in and shut the door, and before the extraordinary sounds of toil and shuffling commenced in the hall she was lost in the deep sleep of the discouraged: that temporary death which is free from all the images of fear and joy."
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews