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The Great Spruce Hardcover – Picture Book, October 18, 2016

by John Duvall (Author), Rebecca Gibbon (Illustrator)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 205 ratings
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Together with his grandpa, a young boy finds a way to save his favorite tree in this heartwarming Christmas tale
 
Alec loves to climb trees—the little apple trees, the wide willow trees, even the tall locust trees. But his favorite is the great spruce, with its sturdy trunk and branches that stretch up to the sky. Alec’s grandpa planted it as a sapling years and years before Alec was born, and every Christmas, Alec and his grandpa decorate the tree together, weaving tinsel and lights through its branches, making it shine bright.
 
But one day, a few curious men from the nearby city take notice of Alec’s glistening great spruce, and ask to take it away for their Christmas celebration. Though it’s a huge honor, Alec’s heartbroken at the idea of losing his friend. With great courage and creativity, Alec comes up with a plan to save his favorite tree in this joyful holiday tale.
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  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    NC790L
  6. Dimensions
    10.38 x 0.38 x 11.81 inches
  7. Publisher
    G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    October 18, 2016
  9. ISBN-10
    0399160841
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0399160844
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2—In this picture book debut, the author addresses a subject close to his heart. Alec is a boy who lives in the country and loves to climb trees, particularly a great spruce, planted decades ago by his grandfather. Every winter he and his grandpa decorate the tree for Christmas, until one year when some men ask his parents if they can use it for the distant city's annual Christmas celebration. Alec's parents consider it an honor, but Alec protests, declaring that the tree could be borrowed instead. It takes time and work, but the tree is carefully dug up, shipped to the city on a barge, and placed in the city center to be enjoyed by everyone. After the holidays, it is returned to Alec's yard and continues to grow, while a sapling takes root in the city square. In an author's note Duvall discusses the tradition of decorating a tree for Christmas, as well as the origin of the annual Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City. There was a brief time when the center used live trees, and Duvall makes the case for returning to this practice rather than killing a valuable living tree. Gibbon's illustrations are large and brightly hued, with a naive style and a shifting perspective that highlights the size and grandeur of the great spruce. VERDICT An attractive holiday offering with an environmental focus.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Review

Praise for The Great Spruce:

“Why do we chop down Christmas trees, anyway? Duvall is out to persuade readers to try a live tree. . . . Gibbon’s loose art is just right, making the winter world look teeming, twinkling and homey.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Appealing illustrations in acrylic ink and colored pencil… A pleasant holiday story with a subtle hint to protect living trees instead of cutting them down.”—Kirkus Reviews 

“Gibbon’s (The Bee Who Spoke) images of a countryside speckled with cottages and snowy cityscapes recall the work of Ludwig Bemelmans, amplifying the sweetly nostalgic mood of newcomer Duvall’s story.”—Publishers Weekly

“An attractive holiday offering with an environmental focus.”—School Library Journal

“Gibbon’s cozy acrylic-ink and colored-pencil art accentuates the tree’s grandeur in both its idyllic country home and its big-city home-away.”—The Horn Book

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (October 18, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399160841
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399160844
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NC790L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.38 x 0.38 x 11.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 205 ratings

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
205 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lynne
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite children’s book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Great Spruce by John Duvall is a beautiful, beautiful story. It’s my favorite story to read to my grandchildren!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars an important and timely story
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
In this gem of a book, John Duvall has created a story that is both heartwarming and poignant. The illustrations, by Rebecca Gibbon, are a perfect pairing and do a magnificent job of telling the story. This Holiday treasure is an important and timely story that needs to be told year round to young and old alike.
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tom
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great read, wonderful story about sustainability and Christmas trees!!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Friend of Trees
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
Thank you for this sensitive story which will be enjoyed for generations to come. It is a story that makes you feel good, gives you hope and keeps your dreams alive. Imagine that...
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db4kb
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to teach the 7 Habits
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
I used this book to teach my students (Pre-K) a 7 Habits lesson. All of the Habits are incorporated in this book and my students loved it!
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Angie Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite this year
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020
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Just a lovely pull at every adult and child’s heart!! Absolutely loved it!
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Jill
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute!
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Cute book! Alec lets the city “borrow” his tree.
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keely1103
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
Beautiful story! My class was engaged and very interested in the storyline. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Gem for Xmas
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Beautiful illustration, absolutely stunning - ideal Xmas preseny.
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