Review Detail

THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS TREE is a cute picture book celebrating the joy of the holiday and the wait for the next year. Cubby and his father select their Christmas tree along with the rabbits and the badgers. They decorate their tree and have a wonderful Christmas. After it is over, Cubby is sad to say goodbye to the tree. However, luckily, his father has a plan, and they plant the tree in their yard to await the next year's Christmas, tending to it through the year.

What I loved: This was a sweet read that celebrates the happiness of Christmas while also understanding the feelings after the holiday with the wait until the next year. These feelings will resonate with young readers. The relationship between father and child is really lovely - I appreciate when stories show a father as the primary caregiver. Caregivers will also notice how much work he is doing and even though he gets a little worn out, he has a lot of care and patience for his child.

The illustrations are lovely, capturing the animals and the season so beautifully. The font is clear and easy to read throughout. Based on the plot, this story would work best for toddlers and preschoolers, as the character of Cubby may feel a bit too young for older picture book readers.

Final verdict: THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS TREE is a sweet picture book that captures the joy of Christmas and the wait between one year and the next.