“The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About The Rockefeller Center Tree”
by Jim LaMarche, Illustrated by David Rubel.
Random House, New York, 2011, 32 pages, Grades K-3.
Christmas is the most cherished day of the year for many people. On this day, the world received God the Father’s greatest gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. With unbounded charity, Our Lord leads us back to His Father in heaven. This has always inspired people to open their hearts to others during this beautiful holiday. Many times it is not the cost of the gift, but the love and sacrifice needed to attain the gift that touches hearts.
Throughout the history of the United States there have been numerous times of grave distress. This was especially true during the 1930s when the terrible Great Depression lay like a crushing weight upon the nation. During this time, giving was difficult, and those receiving these blessings were very grateful. David Rubel has created a lovely story of one such gift. It is entitled “The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About The Rockefeller Center Tree.”
Henry awakes the day before Christmas in a bitterly cold house in upstate New York. With both parents out of work, there is no heat in the house and the family makes out the best that it can. Henry’s father believes he can sell some Christmas trees in New York City, and calls his son to help.
Henry and his father cut down some evergreens and drive to the city in a borrowed truck. There a group of carpenters help them unload the truck. The sales are brisk and needed money is made. Henry’s dad gives the remaining trees to the generous carpenters. They quickly decorate one tree with strings, ribbons and tin can lids and when the city lights strike the tree, beautiful colors flash off of the ornaments. Henry is amazed at the beauty of the tree and writes a wish and places it on one of the branches of the tree. He only asks that his family someday have a nice warm house. He sees an exquisite pine cone on the ground and takes it back home and plants it in the yard.
On Christmas Day, Henry wakes up to the toot of a truck horn. Much to the family’s surprise, the carpenters have driven up from the city with a load of lumber. They are about to give the impoverished family a gift. As the years go by Henry’s pine cone grows into a majestic tree until one day, many years later, a man asks Henry if he can return the gift he was given.
What did the carpenters do and why were they so charitable? Despite their poverty, why is Henry’s family so loving? Is Henry’s wish answered? How does a gift of a claw hammer play into the story? Who receives this hammer at the end of the story? And finally, why does the skating rink at Rockefeller Center look so spectacular because of Henry’s charity?
To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this touching story, “The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About The Rockefeller Center Tree” by David Rubel.
Reading this moving story with the younger members of your family will be a gift to them and to yourself. It is positive and uplifting and will inspire generosity. The pictures are beautiful and poignant. The final drawing of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center is simply stunning. I hope you get a chance to read this wonderfully told tale. It’s a great book. Enjoy!
