Little Tree

Little Tree, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray

E.E. Cummings' lovely poem, Little Tree, is made into a Christmas picture book by illustrator Deborah Kogan Ray, and the result is a gently appealing holiday tale, suffused with warmth and joy. The expressive but understated text describes how a small tree is found, cherished and decorated by a young brother and sister, while the artwork depicts two city children finding the tree in a lot, bringing it home and transforming it, eventually singing "Noel Noel" while gazing on its beauty...

Originally published in Cummings' collection, Tulips & Chimneys, in 1923, Little Tree has been presented as a children's book a number of times, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray in this version, and by Mary show more Claire Smith in another. Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator Chris Raschka has also created an adaptation of it. This presentation is just lovely, pairing Cummings' gentle, emotionally resonant poem with beautiful, soft-edged illustrations. Recommended to young readers looking for sweet holiday tales, or for classic poems retold through the picture book form. show less

This is a cute book that meets all the basic requirements of a good children's book. My only problem is with the illustration style. Its too geometric for my taste. I like the story and the colors are good but let's curve a few of those lines. Less square, more round. =)

This book was told like a poem, as a story about a little boy who showed so much compassion for a christmas tree. He cared so much about treating the tree carefully, and convincing the tree that it was special, and all the decorations and the purpose was making it special to him, and wondered how the tree felt about being taken from its home and put on display.

It really made me think how we take things for granted, expecting people to be excited about things just because we are, but never thinking first how they feel, and it was so sweet that the little boy realized that the tree may not understand how important he was to him.

Definitely a book to use during christmas, and to introduce different types of poems, but also to talk about show more caring for things and others. show less

This poem, made story, by the combined efforts of Deborah Kogan Ray and E.E. Cummings is a sight to behold. It captures in a very few pages the incredible warmth of Christmas. The illustrations have a wonderful glow to them so the reader feels illuminated, as if by Christmas tree lights. The words are simple, yet elegant, dancing around the pages.
My mother would read this book to me every year before Christmas. The quick glimpse into the lives of two children in the city celebrating together still warms heart every holiday season.

A little girls finds the perfect little tree, and they belong to each other. This is a book book to expose poetry at a young age, especially for around christmas time. Raschka brings this poem to life with his unique and colorful illustrations. The story brings the idea that christmas is about family and finding perfect small things about the holidays, that just seem to fit.

Lyric Poem: This poem tells the story of the littlest Christmas tree in the forest. One day a little girl comforts the tree and takes it inside her house so she and her brother can decorate it with Christmas decorations. In the end everyone in town sees the pretty decorated tree in the window of the house of the little girl and boy and they all decide to dance and sing "Noel Noel."

I thought this book was pleasant and flowing. The pictures made more since to me than the poem. If the book did not have pictures you might be confused with the story the poem is trying to tell.

This book teaches children to love people and things no matter what the circumstance. That is, this book teaches children to love someone or something who is shorter, show more taller, depressed, or even just diffent in any way shape or form. This book also teaches children to be comforting to someone who is going through something. Lastly I think this book teaches children to be kind to nature, animals, and other people as well as to be a blessing by doing something nice for someone or something. show less

Summary: A small tree in a forest of big trees seems left out. Someone comforts the tree because it is so small and helpless. They take the tree in and decorate it. They put it next to the window for everyone to see its beauty for Christmas.

Personal Reaction: I feel that this was a cute book. It shows children that even if they are different than others they still have their own special way of shining.

Classroom extension: 1. the students can draw their own Christmas tree and decorate it.
2. After reading the book I can have the children write in their journal about something that makes them different than others.