Book Details:
Book Title: Needles the Forgotten Christmas Tree by Richard Wagner
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: Mar 7, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
Book Title: Needles the Forgotten Christmas Tree by Richard Wagner
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: Mar 7, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
***** MOM'S CHOICE GOLD AWARD WINNER *****
Book Description:
The world is not always perfect. A scraggly little tree named Needles must endure taunts, criticism, and setbacks to realize his goal of becoming a beautiful Christmas tree.
This is a story of hope, dreams, desires, determination, and never giving up. It also offers the observation that what others think is beautiful may not really matter. Beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder . . . and paired with the spirit of Christmas, maybe we can make the world just a little more perfect!
The world is not always perfect. A scraggly little tree named Needles must endure taunts, criticism, and setbacks to realize his goal of becoming a beautiful Christmas tree.
This is a story of hope, dreams, desires, determination, and never giving up. It also offers the observation that what others think is beautiful may not really matter. Beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder . . . and paired with the spirit of Christmas, maybe we can make the world just a little more perfect!
My Review
5 stars
The concept for Needles the Forgotten Christmas tree is magical. The storyline is one that teaches a lesson that we all have worth regardless of what we look like on the outside. To never give up.
The story is easy to read and would hold the attention of any child due to the wonderful illustrations in bright colors. The drawings add lots of life to the story.
Even when things weren't working out and Needles didn't seem to be getting a family to take him home, he never gave up. The lessons a child could learn from this well-written story could inspire them to be the best they can be. Very inspirational and inspiring children's book. I agree with the author. The illustrator nailed it and the collaboration between the author and the illustrator created a wonderful book with a beautiful message that all children need to hear.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Julie
Meet the Author:
Wagner grew up in Southern California. When he was 14-years old, a business friend of his father’s had a small Christmas tree delivered as a thank you. Their family already had a large tree decorated in the house. Not being able to find anyone who needed a tree, that small Christmas tree stood outside by itself for the remainder of the Christmas holiday.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What made you write this book?
When I was 14, a business associate of my father's delivered a small Christmas tree to our home as a thank-you. However, we already had a large tree decorated in the living room. We tried to find someone to take the tree but to no avail. That little tree sat by itself by the side of the house for the remainder of the holidays. I always felt sorry for that little tree, and for many years I wanted to write a story about what might have been.
Is the story based on real people in your life?
Not really. As the story unfolded, the characters in the story just sort of fell into place to make the story work. My goal was to create a situation that was uplifting in the end.
Your book seems to have several messages to children?
Yes. I believe a children's book should constitute life lessons and be inspiring. The teachable lessons in this story deal with hopes and dreams, determination in the face of great odds, and the virtue of never giving up. In addition, the idea that what one person or group may not find appealing, another person may find beautiful.
Is this your first book?
Yes.
Have you enjoyed the process?
To some extent. Writing the initial story was not complicated. Deciding on a publisher was more effort. However, the hardest part was finding a good illustrator that was willing to buy into my concept of the book.
What was that concept?
I wanted illustrations that were elegant, not cartoonish. It was important that Needles look like a real tree, and that his emotions be defined by how the tree looked, whether it was standing tall or drooping, etc. I think that Sydni Kuger nailed it.
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