Decorate the Tree

August 28, 2023
Jones brightly invites readers to trim a tree in this interactive holiday book. A friendly narrator encourages readers to “tap,” “clap,” “blink,” “knock,” and more to decorate layered green triangles that represent a tree. Appraising the conifer—festooned with ball ornaments, lights, and garland—the speaker proposes, “I think we need candy canes. Shout ‘JINGLE BELLS!’ in three, two, one...,” and a page turn reveals the sugary payoff. When the tree, standing crisply against a plain white backdrop, is at last fully covered in simple and shapely decor, a final nighttime display makes for an ideal cue to “snuggle in tight”—assuming readers can be kept from starting the process all over again. For fans of participatory reading, this is an inviting Christmas offering. Ages 3–5.

August 11, 2023

PreS-Gr 1-An interactive Christmas picture book. The tree first appears bare, with basic triangle and rectangle shapes. But as readers are prompted to do a variety of activities before the turn of every page, colors and decorations are added to the tree. After the last decoration, a star, is put on the tree, readers need to "turn out the lights" in the book and say good night. Jones adds narration that enhances the interactions in this story, including asking questions, making observations about what readers did, and providing compliments as the garland and ornaments are added. When an ornament breaks, Jones deals with it in an easygoing manner and uses a fun clean-up method. VERDICT This is for children who enjoy books like Press Here by Herv� Tullet. With the clapping, singing, tapping, and shaking children will be doing as this story is told, it's a sure hit for the Christmas holidays for both readers and the audience.-Tanya Boudreau

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

An interactive book inviting readers to trim the Christmas tree with a tap, clap, and twinkle. In this sparsely illustrated picture book, each page turn (with reader participation) adds another layer of decorations to the Christmas tree. Tapping the tree adds the lights, for example, while clapping turns them on, and blinking causes garland to appear. Readers will also blow away a broken ornament, and, of course, tap to place the star on top. The most magical moment happens when readers "turn out the lights" to see the fully glowing tree against a dark background. The directions in this book are simple enough for even young toddlers to follow or be guided through with minimal assistance. The pace of clapping and tapping is an added layer of engagement that keeps pages turning. Bare though the pages may be, they certainly allow readers to easily notice the addition of each new piece of decor and enable them to focus on the actions and movements. All the action words appear in italics, the last of which is "snuggle," a loving and simple way for caregivers to bring their little ones in close. Sure to be a repeat read-aloud toddler favorite for the Christmas holiday season. Simple and effective. (Picture book. 1-3)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (Online Review)

September 15, 2023
Preschool-Kindergarten Beginning with the distinctive shape of a plain Christmas tree against a white background, this picture book invites young children to decorate it. The narrator guides them with brief, encouraging suggestions such as "Tap the tree to add some lights" or "Now, clap your hands to turn them on." Each time (after kids blink their eyes, knock on the tree, shake the book, etc.), a turn of the page reveals the latest transformation. The digitally enhanced cut-paper illustrations create a look that is orderly and inviting. Even when decorations almost cover the tree, the effect isn't overcrowded, but joyful. Jones takes a refreshingly simple approach in this interactive book, and it works beautifully. Page turns are used intelligently to both raise and satisfy viewers' expectations of change. And when an ornament falls to the floor and breaks, the narrator is reassuring, saying, "That's okay. Accidents happen. Can you blow the broken pieces away?" Of course they can! This book becomes a safe space where young children can share the fun of decorating a Christmas tree.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2023
Cleanly designed double-page spreads feature large-size type on the left and simply composed cut-paper and digital illustrations (resembling a child's craft project) on the right. A la Tullet's innovative, interactive picture book Press Here (rev. 7/11), listeners are instructed to tap a fir tree composed of overlapping green triangles "to add some lights." A page-turn shows those lights on the tree. Clap to turn the lights on, knock twice to add ornaments, and so on. Garland, candy canes, and a star tree-topper complete the effect. "Turn the page to turn out the light." This offering captures the fun of tree decorating. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)