Billy Romp

A quick, but wonderful Christmas memoir. The Romp family is a real family that sells Christmas trees each December at a stand on Jane St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan. The father tells the story of one year that was particularly special for him and his daughter, Ellie. She is growing up and no longer seems enamored by everything about her father. Sensing her growing distance as a threat, her dad tries to hold on to her through discipline and pressure. Unable to forcibly control his headstrong show more daughter, Billy is finally persuaded by his wife to take a closer look at his motives.
I really enjoyed reading this title during the Christmas season. It is a short book that I could read in a day. The neighborhood setting is delightful, as are the people who obviously look forward to the Romp family and their annual campout on their corner during the weeks preceding Christmas. As a parent, I found important lessons to learn seeing through the eyes of this special family and this pivotal year in their lives. show less

Sweet holiday book about a family from Vermont who spends a month on Jane Street in NYC selling Christmas trees, wreaths, etc. The Romp family depends on the income from these sales to provide their finances for the year. When the oldest child, Ellie, wants to do things differently, her father rebels, causing a rift between members of the family. After reflection, they all discover that giving is better than receiving. Changing things a little helped them learn.

I understand the message of the book, and the last part of it is great, but there are some parenting things that I have issues with. A child deliberately disobeys her father by not letting her parents know where she is while they are in Manhattan, of all places. Then she willfully disobeys his grounding her to go to a party, and all is happy when the father confesses that he is in the wrong. I found it hard to get past that in that portion of the book. The beginning and ending were good, show more however. show less

This is an excellent feel good story for Christmas. Having two (now adult) daughters myself, I can relate strongly to the Bill Romp's angst and emotions. Some may see the story as a bit saccharine and corny, but isn't that as much a part of Christmas as carols and the tree?