Jeannie St. John Taylor writes Penguin’s Special Christmas Tree. A contest for Santa’s “Best Tree Award” is open. The Penguin enters the contest, but he has one small problem. He cannot think of the perfect tree topper. His small Angel friend decides to help him.

Children and Penguin know a tree topper is usually an Angel, Santa or a Star. Yet, Penguin wants something to make his tree special, so he and his friend try different toppers. Kids enjoy seeing the odd things Penguin uses as a tree topper. He tries a turkey, mouse, traffic light and other silly objects. Children giggle at the twosome’s choices and reasoning. They wonder whether a topper will ever be found before Santa arrives.

The picture book by Jeannie St. John Taylor captures the fun children have when decorating a Christmas tree. Children have active imaginations and have different thoughts of what is appropriate for the family tree. If children could, they may try to place a live monkey or frog on the tree as Penguin.

Molly Idle’s illustrations capture the antics of Penguin and his little Angel friend. The colors are eye-catching bright. She captures the animals’ emotions with her paint brush. Their joy, their sorrow, Molly Idle artfully depicts their confusion.

A Christmas tree ornament is on the last page of the picture book. Children can punch it out and assemble it. The special ornament can decorate the family tree. Penguin’s Special Christmas Tree is for children between ages four and eight-years-old. Children in this age group can easily assemble the ornament and hang it with a little help from parents or care givers.

The children picture review book is a paperback book with twenty-two pages. Its size is 11 by 8 ˝ inches. Penguin’s Special Christmas Tree is available in hardback, too. Young readers will giggle while reading about Penguin’s silly choices and the book’s font size makes it easy to do.



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