Everybody's Tree by Barbara M. Joosse, Renée Graef
Published by Sleeping Bear Press on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 1534110585
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

How does a small spruce seedling get to be the centerpiece of the city square on Christmas? This seasonal book describes 3 phases in points-of-view from the boy who first planted it, to the workers to select, transport, and set it up, and lastly, the tree speaks to the reader.

Overall it is a narrative, but in free-verse form with some rhyming, lots of descriptive words and phrases. Some of the phrases lack rhythm, but other places build anticipation and energy: “We creak around the corner, we chug up the hill, we’ll make it to the city-we will! We will!” Full color illustrations perfectly match the text. Bonus: the dust jacket glows in the dark!

Great addition to the holiday section, and could be used for descriptive language, adjectives, and to answer a youngster’s question, “How did that tree get here?”

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town