FICTION

Maple & Willow's Christmas Tree

by Lori NICHOLS
illus. by Lori Nichols.32p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Oct. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780399167560.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—The fourth book featuring charming young sisters Maple and Willow is set at Christmas, when the excitement of getting a real tree for the first time is eclipsed by Maple's immediate allergic reaction to it. Both girls are sad when they have to put the tree outside as a result. After an exchange of words during which feelings are hurt, Willow gets creative and surprises Maple with a decorated ladder "tree." Cheerful pastel pencil drawings with plenty of white space appropriately capture the snowy season.
VERDICT Simple yet satisfying, this story of sibling thoughtfulness and surprise successfully evokes the holiday spirit.
Reviewed by Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library
In their fourth book, sisters Maple and Willow are overjoyed to pick out their first real Christmas tree. Once they bring their perfect tree into the house, though, Maple cannot stop sneezing, so the tree gets moved outside. Willow blames her older sister for the loss of the tree and lashes out ("I wish you weren't allergic to Christmas"), but her anger and Maple's hurt feelings are short lived, and the story's resolution is creatively festive. Nichols's digitally colored pencil-on-mylar drawings highlight the emotions and energy of these spirited siblings. courtney burke
In their fourth book, sisters Maple and Willow pick out their first real Christmas tree. Once the tree is inside, though, Maple cannot stop sneezing, so the tree is moved outside. Willow blames Maple for the loss of the tree, but her anger and Maple's hurt feelings are short lived; the resolution is creatively festive. Digitally colored pencil-on-mylar drawings highlight the spirited siblings' emotions.
 , Oct 01, 2016

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