When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. A cozy, holiday read-aloud and a lyrical way to usher in the month of December. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Mary Lyn Ray has written many acclaimed picture books, including Mud, which received the Minnesota Book Award and was an IRA-CBC Children's Choice. She lives in South Danbury, New Hampshire. Barry Root is the illustrator of more than thirty books for children, including Tiki and Ronde Barber's Teammates, Game Day, and By My Brother's Side. He lives in Drumore, Pennsylvania. REVIEWS: "This lovely tale celebrates intergenerational friendship and determination, growth and nature, and the joy of the holiday season" ?School Library Journal Colour illustrations
