Hello friends!
This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.
Today, we're getting our holiday on with a spirit filled palm tree that's reaching for his dreams. Hey, the only one that can hold you back is yourself, and he brings this to life in evergreen-living color. Ladies and gents, don your jolliest apparel and set your sights on today's title in the spotlight...
by
Freddy Wexler
Illustrated by
Fanny Berthiaume
9780593567944
Random House Books for Young Readers
About the book...
The tiki torch is lit, the hula dancers are ready, the stage is set. It's...Christmastime in Hawaii!
Everett Green is a singing, dancing palm tree waiting for his big break. He dreams of being a star, yet has no idea how to make it happen--until he sees the Rockefeller Tree on TV. Determined to become the most famous Christmas tree ever, Everett is ready to hightail it out of Hawaii and make his big debut in the Big Apple.
But it's not all clear skies for Everett when a New York snowstorm grounds his flight.
Stuck in the airport with hundreds of disgruntled travelers, Everett must dig deep for holiday spirit if he wants to become a real Christmas tree!
From grammy-nominated songwriter Freddy Wexler comes a modern Christmas classic: the story of a would-be Christmas tree who comes to see that Christmas is not what or where you are, but who you're with.
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Everett dreamed of his name in lights, and practiced his routine until it sparkled like so many glorious lights...until one day, his dream took on a new meaning. It wasn't his name in lights, but seeing himself in lights, and all dolled up just like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. He would be THE Christmas tree that everyone could see, love, and admire. The only thing was...he had to get to NYC! What? You thought I'd bring up that fact that he's a PALM tree, or made of plastic? Pfft! Those are easy obstacles to overcome when you're talking about geography! He packed his bags and prepped to take his show on the road, but he had no way to secure a ticket (back to that whole plastic thing) and the weather was playing anything but nice, putting more than a monkey wrench in his plans, as well as those of the other passengers trying to traverse the skies to their holiday destinations. He feared he wouldn't reach his dreams...at least until a little girl with an open mind and a powerful imagination recognized him for who he truly was, unlocking a truly brilliant idea for Everett Green to become not only what he dreamed of (in a fashion), but truly make the Christmases of those around him as well.
A wonderful story that brings to life the magic of the season, while reminding us that we can be anything we wish to be. There is no time or place that is perfect for a dream to come true, but any situation, any circumstance can be what we make of it, and if we never give up, never stop trying, that desired happily-ever-after remains in reach. A great addition to your holiday reading list, and a fun read for all ages.
About the author...
Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, John Legend, Pink, Diana Ross, Shakira, and many others. He lives in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit freddywexler.com.
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About the illustrator...
Fanny Berthiaume is a French Canadian visual artist who has been working in the entertainment industry for close to fifteen years. From miniature set builder to visual effects artist, she has worked on a variety of exciting projects. She offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses. She lives in Montreal.
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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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