"The Little Fir Tree" - a bookwrap

"The Little Fir Tree" comes from the original story by Hans Christian Anderson and is retold by Christopher Corr. 

Unwrapping 

"The Little Fir Tree"

by Christopher Corr

* Ages:  4-7

* Grade Level:  PS-2

* Hardcover:  32 pages

* Publisher:  Frances Lincoln Children's Books; illustrated edition

* Pub. Date: October 1, 2019

* Language:  English

Editorial Reviews

"A Christmas tree-t"

- Kirkus Reviews

"Offer[s] comforting reflections about appreciating one’s lot as well as hope for change and regeneration"

- Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Deep in the forest, there lived a beautiful little fir tree who longed to see the world…

Two whole years passed and the little fir tree grew taller. When people came by they said,

“What a fine-looking tree!”

“What a wonderful tree!”

In the evening the room filled with lots of people.

When they saw the little fir tree covered in candles and sweeties and baubles, they danced around him with joy.

But the next day, two men carried the little fir tree out of the room and out of the house to the shed.

They closed the door, leaving him in the dark. Hours went by, and no one came. “What is happening now?” thought the little fir tree. “This isn’t what I thought the world would be like.”

But the next day, two men carried the little fir tree out of the room and out of the house to the shed.

They closed the door, leaving him in the dark. Hours went by, and no one came. “What is happening now?” thought the little fir tree. “This isn’t what I thought the world would be like.”

Unwrapping the Story

A little fir tree lives deep in the forest surrounded by extremely tall trees.  Lumberjacks come one day and start cutting them down and taking them away to build cabins and ships that sail on the seas.  Oh how the little tree longs to be harvested and used for some great purpose too, but alas he is always overlooked and left behind because of his size.  The birds laugh and try to cheer him up. They tell him that every moment is precious and not to wish his life way.  

The seasons come and go and the little tree grows bigger and bigger.  He becomes more discontented and yearns to be chosen ever so badly so  he can have his own exciting destiny. 

The very next winter the lumberjacks arrive once again and this time the little fir tree is the first to be cut down and taken away.  

"Finally, I will see the world!" he thought, his heart soaring."

He is taken to town at Christmas and decorated beautifully inside a grand house.  He is complimented and adored by the children who live there.  They delight in his very presence at this fun festive time of the year.  The little fir tree is ecstatic! Finally he feels proud and ever so happy.  But what will happen to him after Christmas is over?  What will his destiny be then? 

The illustrations are vibrant, colourful and folk-art style.  The book's message is that we should appreciate what you already have. As the old song says... you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone... and that is exactly the life lesson that the little fir tree learned.  The author deviates from the original Hans Christian Anderson's tale by adding a new twist of hope at the very end of the story.  After all, most kid's love a happily-ever-after ending. 

The book imparts a positive, valuable message that both kids and adults can adhere too and I highly recommend it.  

Storywraps Rating - 5 HUGS++!!!!!

Regeneration - hope! 




Meet the Author/Illustrator

  

Christopher Corr is an established author/illustrator whose many books have won him international acclaim. They include The Great Race, A Year Full of Stories, and Deep in the Woods. He studied at the Royal College of Art, and now lives and works in London as an artist and tutor at Goldsmiths University.

Follow Storywraps

*Instagram: Storywraps

Email:  storywrapsblog@gmail.com

*Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Storywraps

*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1

*Pinterest: Storywraps

I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day.  If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.

Go to the top of my blog at the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give.  The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you.  

I also have added a new button...  ko-fi.com  Simply buy me a cup of coffee if you would rather.  That would be fun.  Coffee and blogging go together like two peas in a pod as I'm always brewing up something here on Storywraps. 

 I thank you in advance for your support.  I adore what I do and would appreciate any amount that you may give so that I can make our Storywraps' community more thriving and exciting.  Thanks a million!  Books bind us together.   

Read on...

Read always.

It's a wrap! 

💜💜💜