Pick a Pine Tree

PreS-Gr 2—A family visits a pine tree lot to pick out the perfect tree. Rhyming, instructional text accompanies the family as they transport the tree, set it up, unpack decorations, and find friends to help decorate it. For example, on how to decorate the tree: "Stretch along some/twinkling lights,/a colored mix/or simply white…Start up top/or near the base;/wrap around/and tuck in place." Finally, when the tree is crowned with a star, the tree skirt is laden with presents, and the lights are plugged in: "LOOK! It's not a pine tree/anymore. It's a…CHRISTMAS TREE!" Friends and family members gaze at it, awestruck, on a dazzling spread that requires a vertical orientation for added drama. The final scene is a view of the family's house after nightfall, twinkling with starlight and strung lights, and a wish for a "Merry CHRISTMAS, one and all!" The pencil, chalk, paint, and digitally colored paintings are brimming with holiday cheer and warmth.