Review Detail
Kids Fiction
409
delightful Halloween book
Overall rating
5.0
Plot/Characters/Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
5.0
Be prepared to start a new holiday tradition with THE HALLOWEEN TREE. On the Christmas tree lot, there is one sapling who isn't like the others and doesn't want to wear lights and be decorated for Christmas. As he thinks about those things, his greenery falls off and his branches twist. Soon, he is the last tree left, and a housing development springs up around him. Children from the houses love to play in his branches, making him a pirate ship, a spaceship, a dragon, and more.
The tree starts to realize he does like people- especially the children. When the parents talk about cutting it down, the children protest and decorate the tree for Halloween, starting a new tradition as they cheer "Trick or Tree!"
What I loved: There are some great underlying messages here about accepting others for who they are as well as feeling different and finding your own place (not needing to be like everyone else). The book is filled with lovely, colorful illustrations with some bonus details. For instance, there is a spider that falls in love with the tree (shown by hearts when it approaches first when the tree is a sapling) and then appears somewhere on the tree in every subsequent illustration. The spider has a happy ending cuddling up to one of the rubber spiders the children use to decorate the tree. While it isn't mentioned in the text, this story-within-the-illustrations is a lovely little bonus for children to find.
There is also great diversity in the children and parents depicted that I love to see. With the charismatic (albeit grouchy at first) tree gracing the pages, and the fun story, preschoolers will adore the story of THE HALLOWEEN TREE. This is a great seasonal read with broad appeal that will make you think more about the trees around.
Final verdict: Clever, adorable, and delightful, the story of THE HALLOWEEN TREE has great appeal for young readers, particularly preschool aged readers. Fantastic illustrations with fun details add to the fun of this seasonal to-be classic. Highly recommend for children who love Halloween and/or those who feel a little different.
The tree starts to realize he does like people- especially the children. When the parents talk about cutting it down, the children protest and decorate the tree for Halloween, starting a new tradition as they cheer "Trick or Tree!"
What I loved: There are some great underlying messages here about accepting others for who they are as well as feeling different and finding your own place (not needing to be like everyone else). The book is filled with lovely, colorful illustrations with some bonus details. For instance, there is a spider that falls in love with the tree (shown by hearts when it approaches first when the tree is a sapling) and then appears somewhere on the tree in every subsequent illustration. The spider has a happy ending cuddling up to one of the rubber spiders the children use to decorate the tree. While it isn't mentioned in the text, this story-within-the-illustrations is a lovely little bonus for children to find.
There is also great diversity in the children and parents depicted that I love to see. With the charismatic (albeit grouchy at first) tree gracing the pages, and the fun story, preschoolers will adore the story of THE HALLOWEEN TREE. This is a great seasonal read with broad appeal that will make you think more about the trees around.
Final verdict: Clever, adorable, and delightful, the story of THE HALLOWEEN TREE has great appeal for young readers, particularly preschool aged readers. Fantastic illustrations with fun details add to the fun of this seasonal to-be classic. Highly recommend for children who love Halloween and/or those who feel a little different.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Latest Book Listings Added
Part writing guide and part memoir, this inspiring book from...
The voices that shaped LGBTQ Young Adult literature, Lambda Award-Winning...
In an idyllic community of wealthy California families, new teacher...
A contemporary exploration of physics, light, and sound told through...
Mummies, pyramids, pharaohs, King Tut! Kids everywhere are fascinated by...
New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak, Shout)...
Romantic intrigue and electric action fill the gripping sequel to...
Latest Member Reviews
"After the death of her parents, Grace comes to an Alaskan boarding school. Once there, she senses something is 'off'..."
"YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN is a graphic novel of the origin story for Aqualad. Jake is 17 and living..."
" I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley. The Most Dangerous Place on Earth centers around a..."
"I am pretty new to graphic novels so when I won a copy of 'Pumpkin Heads' on GoodReads I was..."
"BURN imagines a world that is just like ours, except that dragons exist. Dragons have been around for longer than..."
"WONDER WOMAN: TEMPEST TOSSED is a fantastic new story featuring Diana coming into her own. She has been raised among..."
"THE ARCHER AT DAWN is a fantastic sequel in the THE TIGER AT MIDNIGHT trilogy. This second book picks up..."
"What worked: This is a fun paranormal twist on historical figures set in the Wild West of 1876. I loved..."
"FEEDBACK This book was everything I wanted and more. It begins with Kallia and her performance. It quickly descends into..."
"THE STATE OF US is a really fantastic YA contemporary romance that follows the children of two political rivals. Dean's..."
"LIVE LIKE LEGENDS is an absolutely fantastic YA fantasy romance. We follow Kalista, who is a princess born to be..."
"Visually, this book is a gorgeous work of art, splattered with blood from cover to cover. For those familiar with..."
"Top 3 reasons to read LIKE SISTERS ON THE HOMEFRONT: 1.) The characters- Gayle, a NYC girl sent to..."
"Daphne Blake and Velma Dinkley are opposites. Daphne is popular, traditionally pretty, and sociable. Velma prefers books and information to..."
"Felix has never been in love, but he wants to be. He wants the experience of opening your heart, having..."
"Eileen, Claire, and Murphy Sullivan used to be close. They had their special traditions, their shared laughs, and their shared..."
"THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBILITIES is a YA contemporary about friendship in the vein of THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS...."
"FEEDBACK I actually really enjoyed this story. The beginning was a little confusing because there wasn’t too much explanation of..."
"San Solano, Texas is not only known for its Southern charm but also gruesome murders that took place fifty..."
"FEEDBACK When I first heard about this book I thought it was interesting. Then I saw all the hype..."
