Review by Kirkus Book Review
A bear cub befriends a tiny Christmas tree. Cubby tromps through the snowy woods with Daddy Bear and other forest friends to search for a Christmas tree. Cubby slips in excitement and tumbles "into a flash of fuzzy green." Instead of Cubby finding a tree, a tree has chosen Cubby! Daddy Bear lugs it home to their den. Amid the flurry of lights and other decorations, Cubby bonds with the tree, reading it stories and attempting to share cocoa with it. (Luckily, Daddy Bear steps in before the hot liquid spills everywhere.) Cubby snuggles next to Little Tree at night and confides, "You've filled our home with happiness." On Christmas Day, all the woodland friends come to celebrate. But when it's time to take the decorations down, Cubby is sad. "That means Christmas is over. It's the end of…HAPPINESS!" Daddy Bear shows Cubby how they can replant Little Tree outside their den to use again next year. Centering a single-parent family, this sweet tale reminds readers that they can hold a little bit of Christmas magic tight each day, not only during the holiday season. Quaint illustrations of Cubby and Daddy Bear set cozy scenes, reminiscent of those in collaborations between Chapman and author/illustrator Karma Wilson. A nod to both Christmas excitement and post-holiday big feelings.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
