A Wish to be a Christmas Tree Board book – Picture Book, October 6, 2005

I'm not sure how my daughter acquired this book, but I'm thankful that she did. This is the most touching story about the true meaning of Christmas and what being a true friend really is. I cry almost every time I read this story. I've purchased it twice for baby showers when requested to give your favorite childrens book to the mother-to-be. I know there are some negative reviews about the rhyming not written well, but ignore those. Some people haven't mastered the art of reading in rhyme. This is such a sweet story.

Can you see the sad face on the cover of that book?? I love the art in this book. But the story it tells may be the best part. We all have a wish to be something, right? Well, this tree has for years always wished to be chosen as a Christmas tree. He feels perhaps he is not good enough and this is why he is overlooked each year. But he has the best of friends in the woods with him and what they do will warm your heart and bring the spirit of Christmas alive (spirit of GIVING AND DOING FOR OTHERS) all year long. This is one book you may want to keep out all year long. Yes, this story is about a tree and takes place in the forest, but I got alot out of it. My 8 year old daughter got a lot out of it. In fact it really opened her heart and allowed us to have an easy discussion about being mindful of other's feelings, kindness and caring for others, and community service and spirit. I love pretty much ALL books but the ones that have these "underlying and teachable" lessons are my favorite. You Need This On Your Shelf. I promise!

I am not certain that I purchased this book through Amazon, but I must review it. We have had this book for several years & still I love this story. It is the first book I look for in our growing box of treasured Christmas books. The story is lovely, heartwarming, meaningful, touching......... I cry every time I read it. Read it through once before reading it to your children or grandchildren - then you will establish a flow & the rhyming will quite simple. This is a book for all ages - as I said, we have had this book for years & my children love it, too. There is a tree in our neighborhood that resembles the "Wish to Be Tree" - we appreciate the tree more than the owners know. I added a photo of my son hiding in the Wish to Be Tree - unfortunately, very little of the Tree is shown. This book is a wonderfully written & beautifully illustrated tool to teach us all about anticipation, disappointment, friendship, gratitude, thoughtfulness, and love. Steer clear of the negative comments - Scrooges. Merry Christmas.

The book I received was labeled hardcover but actually was the board book type of pages. Still the artwork and touching story make this a christmas classic. I would agree with some reviews that the reading level is probably too wordy for the youngest readers. However the rhymes and story will grow on them...especially when choosing their own christmas tree. Also if you do get the board book like me, a younger child might actually benefit from that.I think one of my favorite elements is the kind message it conveys of the importance of letting those we love know we appreciate them. The tree in the story spent his whole life feeling passed over for being a christmas tree while his family and friends moved on. Most people especially kids find themselves in this type of situation that doesn't seem fair but it's the cards they are dealt. Meanwhile his animal friends had been enjoying all his special tree gifts on a daily basis.So the next time I dress up a christmas tree... I know I'll be pondering the story behind the tree that got chosen for the honor...especially the live trees that get planted outside to be enjoyed all year.

This was actually very good and sweet. The story is strictly about xmas trees, no santa, no religious things. The beginning is a bit sad as it mentions this tree gets passed over year after year by those looking for a xmas tree and he's seen all his "family members" get picked to be trees. But then his friends (animals) come and decorate him and show the tree how how they appreciate him. The only thing is i wish the tree didn't have a face 😅 its almost creepy with such realistic art. Thankfully the face is only on a few pages.

I didn't see the face in the tree on the cover until I read this book. The illustrations are wonderful and complement the story very well. It shares a great lesson on how we may not think we are worth much but in other people eyes we are worth a whole lot. So glad I added this to our advent reading this year and will be reading it each year.

"A Wish to be a Christmas Tree" is a wonderful family Christmas story about a big tree who wants to be chosen for a family's Christmas tree but it has grown too big. The animals of the forest convince him he is their Christmas tree in many ways all year long. There are very thought provoking statements from the animals. I bought 2 copies of the board book for my 4 younger grandchildren and a hardcover copy for my 2 older grandchildren. The books are sturdy and beautifully illustrated and will surely be read every Christmas. I read the book as soon as I received it and wished I had found it before Christmas but they will keep until next year to give as Thanksgiving gifts as I am sure the grandchildren will read "A Wish to be a Christmas Tree" many times before Christmas. Such a treasure find!

This is a great book to teach children about the importance of friendship while also enjoying a sweet holiday tale