“O Christmas Tree,” by Vashanti Rahaman, pictures by Frane Lessac.
Boyds Mills Press, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, 1996, 32 pages, K-2.
The Christmas season has many surprises. There are thoughts of future presents, house decorations and holiday parties with family and friends. Many Christmas songs feature sleigh rides, sledding and snowmen. Even weather forecasters try to promise a snowy white Christmas to get into the festive spirit.
But what happens if you live in a country that doesn’t have snow? What type of Christmas traditions can be part of that world? Many people like to go to places with sun and sand in the winter, but have a hard time imagining Christmas trees in the surf. Vashanti Rahaman tells us the story of how one young boy struggles with the tropical heat trying to imagine “sleigh bells ringing” before coming to a remarkable holiday understanding. The name of this charming story is “O Christmas Tree.”
Anselm lives in the West Indies and is surrounded by the warm ocean. Each year, the child dreams of having a Christmas tree covered in snow. With this thought in mind, he hurries down to the wharf to watch the unloading of this year’s Christmas trees. Finally, he and his family have enough money to buy a tree.
But he can’t believe his eyes: instead of the normal beautiful green trees, this year’s shipment is dried out and brown. This is really unfair and needs a remedy.
So Anselm takes two of the withered Christmas trees home and paints them white. By putting them together, he will have a proper tree.
Covered in white paint, he invites his parents to look at his creation. As his parents are watching, a wind blows the tree down and destroys it. Anselm is crushed. His mother urges him to take a bath. Sitting in the warm water, he can’t figure out how to celebrate Christmas.
The next day, his neighbor, Miss Mary, brings her delicious ham dinner to his house. He tells her of the Christmas tree disaster. With that she asks him if Christmas is really about Christmas trees. She gestures to the window. Outside, dozens of lovely red poinsettias are waving in the sunlight. When Anselm looks out he finally figures out about the beauty of Christmas. What does he learn?
How does Miss Mary teach Anselm about the connection between beauty and Christmas? Do you have to have a Christmas tree to have Christmas? Is it possible to celebrate Christmas without snow? It doesn’t seem right, or does it?
What do you like the most about Christmas? What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Even though there is no snow, why do Anselm and his family have such a beautiful Christmas holiday? To find out the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this pleasant book, “O Christmas Tree” by Vashanti Rahaman.
People living in snowy states rarely think about celebrating Christmas in a hot and humid climate. But Christmas is quite adaptable, as Rahaman shows us in this acclaimed title. Every area has beautiful elements in nature that help us rejoice in the beautiful feast of Christmas. This book can broaden children’s understanding of how other cultures use different customs to commemorate the birth of Our Lord. I hope you get a chance to read this fine title with the younger members of your family. I think you will enjoy it, my family certainly did. Best wishes during the Christmas season!
