The Great Spruce

September 26, 2016
Alec loves to climb the spruce tree his grandfather planted years ago, but this year men arrive hoping to use it as a centerpiece in a city holiday display. Distraught, Alec suggests a compromise: “You can borrow the tree instead!” Alec, his grandfather, and members of their community dig up the tree in order to preserve its roots before it travels to the city via tugboat and horse-drawn sleigh. Gibbon’s (The Bee Who Spoke) images of a countryside speckled with cottages and snowy cityscapes recall the work of Ludwig Bemelmans, amplifying the sweetly nostalgic mood of newcomer Duvall’s story. The city isn’t identified, but visual cues suggest it to be New York City, and a closing note discusses how live trees were once used in Rockefeller Center and then replanted on Long Island—a practice that has fallen out of favor, Duvall laments. Ages 5–8. Illustrator’s agency: Riley Illustration.

A boy named Alec saves his family's huge spruce tree from being cut down as a Christmas tree.Alec loves the gigantic tree his grandpa planted decades earlier. Every year Alec and Grandpa decorate the tree with ornaments and outdoor lights. When Alec's parents agree to let the tree be cut down for a nearby city's Christmas tree, Alec convinces his family and the local townspeople to dig it up instead. The huge tree is dug up and transported by truck, barge, and horse-drawn sleigh to the big city, which appears to be New York. Alec and his grandfather go along with the tree, and the boy gets to turn the switch at the tree-lighting ceremony with the mayor. The story has the flavor of a tall tale, as the tree seems too impossibly huge to dig up and move and then return to its original home, and the tree seems to have grown even taller in its temporary location in the city. Appealing illustrations in acrylic ink and colored pencil and a huge trim size accommodate all the different views of the giant tree and its unusual journey. Alec and his family are white, the mayor of the big city has dark skin and hair, and the crowd scenes include people of many ethnic backgrounds. A pleasant holiday story with a subtle hint to protect living trees instead of cutting them down. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

K-Gr 2-In this picture book debut, the author addresses a subject close to his heart. Alec is a boy who lives in the country and loves to climb trees, particularly a great spruce, planted decades ago by his grandfather. Every winter he and his grandpa decorate the tree for Christmas, until one year when some men ask his parents if they can use it for the distant city's annual Christmas celebration. Alec's parents consider it an honor, but Alec protests, declaring that the tree could be borrowed instead. It takes time and work, but the tree is carefully dug up, shipped to the city on a barge, and placed in the city center to be enjoyed by everyone. After the holidays, it is returned to Alec's yard and continues to grow, while a sapling takes root in the city square. In an author's note Duvall discusses the tradition of decorating a tree for Christmas, as well as the origin of the annual Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City. There was a brief time when the center used live trees, and Duvall makes the case for returning to this practice rather than killing a valuable living tree. Gibbon's illustrations are large and brightly hued, with a naive style and a shifting perspective that highlights the size and grandeur of the great spruce. VERDICT An attractive holiday offering with an environmental focus.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

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