Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
Categories
Children’s picture books

MAPLE & WILLOW'S CHRISTMAS TREE

Lori Nichols

Maple isn’t allergic to Christmas, but she is allergic to Christmas trees. Fortunately, Willow comes up with a wonderful idea for how to have the best Christmas ever.

Lori Nichols spent her childhood in northwestern Pennsylvania surrounded by maple trees. As she grew, so did her love of trees and nature. She now lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and three free-spirited daughters. Many days you can find Lori and her family under their maple tree, eating lunch, playing kickball or just being loud. Maple is her first picture book.

Available products
Book Published 2016-10-01 by Nancy Paulsen Books
Book Published 2016-10-01 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Comments

The younger girl’s anger and disappointment are short-lived, and her (truly unexpected) solution to their allergy-driven holiday dilemma will bring smiles to readers’ faces, just as it does to Maple’s.

This gentle tale manages to deal with allergies and hurt sibling feelings in a way that’s sweet and surprising (kids will love the ending).

PARENTS.COM (7.9 million UVM)included this title in their ‘Holiday Gift Guide’ roundup yesterday!: This lovely story is about a lonely woman who finds one of Santa's boots. It's full of charming twists and beautiful pictures; and it can open up a conversation about getting what we really need and the importance of friendship over stuff. Read more...

The understated humor, spare language, and white backgrounds convey a calm, minimalist world in which Christmas isn't overwhelming and sisters always work out their differences. Endearing illustrations . . . show the two round-headed, light-skinned little girls enjoying their time together, from sledding to baking to building an unusual snowman. . . . A charming addition to a winning series.

As in previous books, Nichols admirably captures the sisterly bond, often without words. The ink-and-watercolor artwork is full of real-life emotions. . . . A welcome holiday choice.

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.

Creatively festive. Nichols's digitally colored pencil-on-mylar drawings highlight the emotions and energy of these spirited siblings.

This wonderful picture book perfectly captures the way in which two sisters first lose, and then regain, the true spirit of Christmas when their Christmas tree plans go awry.