Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree

One of my favorite Christmas stories when I was a kid. I loved that the mice got a tree.

A great book to teach the lesson of happiness during Christmastime. This was one of my favorite books when I was younger, and I think the story line is perfect for young children. The animals and Mr. Willowby make the story that starts with one Christmas tree that is a little too big. The rhyming

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helps the story move along. Definitely recommend this; will become a family favorite for sure!

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This is a funny sort of Christmas story. All the trees that are born of the first tree and all of it coming full circle back to the space beneath the first tree were well placed.

I will forever be grateful to the librarian who first introduced me to this book. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree is one of those "oldies but goodies" that continues to charm its readers.

I heard about this children's book somewhere and ordered it sight unseen for the nieces for Christmas. Of course I had to read it (carefully!) to be sure it was up to snuff. I loved this rhyming story about how a rich gentleman gets the perfect tree but has to chop off the top bit to make it fit in

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his parlor. He gives the top to his maid, who has to chop of the top to make it fit in her attic room. She throws it out, and the gardener finds it and takes it home, where he has to chop off the top bit... et cetera through a succession of smaller and smaller recipients of the tree tops until the last bit ends up with the mouse family in the mouse hole in Mr. Willowby's parlor. Lovely! Great, fun illustrations, too.

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This is such a cute little Christmas story.

An addition someone left in my Little Free Library that piqued my interest.

When Mr. Willowby has his annual Christmas tree delivered, only to discover that it is too tall to fit in his parlor, he has his butler lop off the top of it. This top - a small tree in its own right - is given to the upstairs maid, who in turn lops off its top, which is taken the next day by Timm

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the gardener. Timm's wife also lops of the top of their "tree," with this top being found by a local bear. And so it goes, as each new person or creature finds the lopped-off top and uses it as their own Christmas tree. The story concludes with the mice, back in Mr. Willowby's own house, enjoying a tiny, tiny tree, while their human counterpart enjoys his massive one...

Originally published in 1963, and reprinted in this edition from 2000, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree is a picture-book I have long been aware of, but had never happened to pick up hitherto. I'm glad that I finally did, as I found Robert Barry's rhyming tale quite engaging, and his sweetly humorous illustrations appealing. I appreciated the circular narrative here, starting out at Mr. Willowby's house, going off into the wider world (including the forest), and then winding up back at Mr. Willowby's house again. Recommended to anyone looking for fun, sweet picture-books for the Christmas season, especially if their taste tends more towards the vintage!

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A cute, funny Christmas story that has become a family favorite. We read it several times a year during December.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree came by special delivery. Full and fresh and glistening green--the biggest tree he had ever seen. He dashed downstairs to open the door--This was the moment he'd waited for.

I loved, loved, loved Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. It celebrates giving in a fun and playful

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way. Mr. Willowby starts off a long chain of giving when he chops off the top of his too-tall Christmas tree. A tree that is splendid in every other way. He gives the tree-top to the upstairs maid. She's delighted. Very delighted. How thoughtful! How cheery! But the tree is too-tall for her small room. The top must go! Chances are you can predict at this point how the story will go. But that doesn't mean it is in any way less delightful. This little tree-top gets passed down and re-trimmed again and again and again and again and again. And it's just WONDERFUL to see how much happiness and cheer it brings to others.

I loved the premise. I loved the writing. The rhyming was delightful. It worked very well for me! I think this one would make a great read-aloud. I also loved how uplifting it is. (After reading Baboushka and the Three Kings, I needed a cheery story!)

Why didn't someone tell me about this wonderful and charming picture book?! Why?! Well, I am glad to have discovered it now!

Which Christmas books would you consider classic? Which would you recommend?

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My family has read this one for over a decade of Christmases now. It has a fun sense of rhyme and a positive message about how when you are generous, it inspires others to do the same.