The Legend of the Christmas Tree: The Inspirational Story of a Treasured Tradition

by Rick Osborne

Book Overview

Have you ever wondered how the evergreen tree first became a symbol of Christmas? This wonderful story about a family quite like yours is filled with beautiful illustrations that add a deep warmth and richness to the meaning behind one of our best-loved traditions--decorating the Christmas tree.

On a visit to a tree lot, the Johnson family sees three beautifully decorated trees standing in the center of the lot. A mysterious silver gift-wrapped box is under one of the trees. The old lot owner notices their intrigue. What he tells them not only marks the beginning of a new family tradition, it also adds a more profound meaning and greater appreciation to their whole Christmas celebration.

The Legend of the Christmas Tree takes children ages 4 to 8 through a fun and enriching discovery of how the evergreen tree became known as a Christmas tree and, most importantly, how it also became a way to tell people about God.

Read it at bedtime. Read it as you decorate your own Christmas tree. Read it right up to the night of Christmas Eve (or straight through the 12 days of Christmas!).

The Legend of the Christmas Tree:

Is brought to life through the colorful, tender illustrations of Bill DodgeWill captivate and teach your child about gratitude and faithIs a great addition to your holiday reading traditionIs the perfect stocking stuffer or Christmas gift for your children, grandchildren, and any other loved one in your life

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310700434
• ISBN13: 9780310700432
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Zonderkidz
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.9" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Missed the mark

I so wanted to love this book, but it completely missed the mark. I bought it hoping this book was going to be similar to the beautiful story "The Legend of the Candy Cane" by Lori Walburg, but if that's what you're looking for you'll want to pass on this one. The story felt very flat and random in places. But my biggest bugaboo was that the author credits Martin Luther with a role in the creation of the traditional Christmas tree (which is not accurate), and I can't very well read a story about the history of the Christmas tree to the children if it's not factually correct. Such a bummer, not going to be treasuring this one.

Not what I was looking for

I was expecting this to be more of a generic Christmas legend, but it promotes the doctrine of the Trinity as its basis. I didn't find the story telling to be very captivating either.