Bella’s Tree by Janet Russell

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Bella’s Tree by Janet Russell

Governor General’s Award Winner for Children’s Literature

Published by Groundwood: 2009

Picture Book

Summary:

Christmas is coming and Bella’s Nan is not in the happiest of moods. To cheer up her Nan, Bella convinces her Nan to let her go and cut down a Christmas tree. Bella is positive that this will make Nan happy. When Bella finds a nice alder she asks the birds in it if she can cut it down to use for a Christmas tree. The birds agree on the condition that Bella lets them come on Christmas and sit in the tree and sing. Bella agrees and brings the tree home to her. However, Nan tells Bella this is not the right tree. They decorate the tree anyways and Bella goes out to find a new tree. Nan says the same thing when Bella comes home with a spruce tree and pine tree. Finally Bella returns with the right tree – a fir – but they have used all the decorations. On Christmas morning the birds come and sit in the tree and sing creating the most beautiful Christmas tree ever.

Response:

I really enjoyed this story. The bond between the girl and her grandmother is very tender and I love how Bella is trying to make her Nan happy. I think it really shows the importance of grandparents and those older than us in our lives. Janet Russell is a Canadian author which adds some appeal to this book as I always enjoy reading books by Canadian authors. With the winter season coming the illustrations also have me looking forward to the snow that is coming.

For the Reader:

I would recommend this book for those in grade two to four. It is a picture book, but it has some nice themes in it and a more diverse vocabulary that I think would be more appreciated and understood by older children.

The only caution I would have for this book is that it does involve Christmas and the tradition of the Christmas tree which is not necessarily supported or followed by all.