"The Carpenter's Gift - A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree" is a delightful historical fiction children's Christmas picture book with a wonderful message for all. Written by children's historian David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, the heartwarming tale combines two wonderful traditions --the Rockefeller Center Tree and the work done through the Habitat for Humanity programs. The author, David Rubel, did research on the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree tradition which had its start in 1931 and wove the historical facts into a touching fictional Christmas story.
The 11 3/4 inch by 8 3/4 inch books has a most wonderful eye catching dust jacket depicting the main character, Henry, holding a handmade Christmas ornament. The book's title on the dust jacket is embossed in red shiny foil and will capture the attention of most children. The illustrator, Jim La Marche, has rendered the historical period and emotions of the characters in what appears to be beautiful pastel drawings. Every other page is a full color full page drawing that accurately conveys the emotions of the characters and meanings of the text.
The story begins at the height of the Great Depression in 1931. Henry lives in an unheated shack with his parents. One day his father borrows a truck and invites Henry to go with him. They drive to an area where many spruce trees are growing. Henry and his father cut down many trees and transport them to New York City where they sell them as Christmas trees. When they had finished selling the trees for the day, there were several large trees left over. Henry's father donates them to the construction workers who were kind enough to let Henry and his father sell trees on their building site. The workers decorate the trees with all sorts of homemade items. In the evening when the street lights came on the tree sparkled like nothing Henry had ever seen. In the beauty of the moment Henry makes a Christmas wish for a real house.
Henry and his father were in for a special Christmas day treat. All the construction workers collected discarded construction lumber and brought it to Henry's house on their day off. There on Christmas Day they construct a new house for Henry and his family. On the day that Henry and his father cut Chritmas trees Henry found a pine cone. He planted it. Just as Henry grew and matured, so did the Pine tree. It became a very stately tree. Henry becomes an old man and the spruce becomes a huge beautiful specimen. One day a man comes by and asks Henry if he would be willing to donate the tree to Rockefeller Center as their annual Christmas tree. At first Henry had difficulty with the idea of parting with his good friend, the spruce tree, which shared much of Henry's life. Henry asked the man what would happen to the tree at the end of the Holiday Season. The man said that it would be cut up and the lumber used to build a home for a family in need. Upon hearing that, Henry knew what he must do. He thought back to the year 1931 and thought to himself, "I have been given so much, I want to give something back." The end of the story shows how that gift kept giving. You will want to read this delightful story and share it with children from Kindergarten to 6th Grade and beyond. Actually adults will also enjoy the story.
At the end of the book the author gives a historical account of the Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree tradition. A brief explanation and history of Habitat for Humanity is also given. Not only is this book a delightful Christmas tale, it also exposes the reader to the wonderful work of Habitat for Humanity and may capture the reader's attention to actually volunteer or contribute to this worthwhile community outreach program of neighbor helping neighbor. Indeed, the best gifts are the ones we don't expect!
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