cover image Little Tree

Little Tree

E. E. Cummings. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $10.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-517-56598-8

A simple celebration of Christmas by the well-known poet. ""little tree/ little silent Christmas tree/ you are so little/you are more like a flower.'' Carried away from the forest, the little tree is adorned by the shining ornaments that have been tucked away in a dark box all year long. And when it's lit ``there won't be a single place dark or unhappy.'' In wistful strokes of pencil and crayon, Ray gently interprets the poem with a matching mood of awe and joy: two children carry the scrawny tree away from a city street corner into the house, dress it up with pride and display it to an urban crowd from a glowing brownstone window. Ages 5-9. (October)