An Ornament's Tale

It is nice to see that in a world where entire movies are generated from computers that there are artists who can use that same technology and produce a eye catching book such as Chet Spiewak has down with "An Ornaments' Tale" (Notice that the title is both plural and possessive). The tale begins with Percy, a wooden toy soldier, sees through a hole in the attic floor that the Christmas tree has finally arrived for this year. The elf ornaments make sure all of the ornaments are all dusted and shiny before they go back into their ornament box for the trip downstairs. However, the Halloween ornaments, who only know about tricking and scaring, not joy and cheer, decide to come up with a trick or treat surprise for the Christmas ornaments, and it looks like Percy and his friends might miss Christmas. Of course, that cannot be allowed to happen, and what I liked most about the way Spiewak works out his Christmas story is that once you accept the idea of talking animated Christmas tree ornaments, most of what happens in this story tends towards the realistic rather than the fantastic (e.g., ornaments cannot hang themselves on a Christmas tree). I know that pretty much anything goes in such stories, but I appreciated Spiewak's logic as to what happens in this charming little story. The last page of the book shows some of the 3D design sketches and artwok from Spiewak's CWS Studios, showing story and character design sketches, along with some nontextured and textured renderings (if you check out the studio website there is a nice little promotional film, where the author throughs hubris to the wind and declares his book to be "a new holiday classic"; fortunately, I read the book first, so I can only chuckle at the quote). "An Ornaments' Tale" struck me as a mix of elements from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Toy Story" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which is not a bad thing, because this story does suffers little in such comparisons. Actually, the biggest problem in comparing Spiewak's book to those beloved animated films is that young kids will probably be disappointed to learn that they cannot get their own version of Percy, Topher, Crystal, Spencer, Fiona, and Stanley to hang on their Christmas tree this December. That kids (and their parents) would want real ornaments of these characters to hang on their trees would be just another indication of how this nice little story could become a personal Christmas favorite for those people who happen to stumble across it. I am glad I did and have salted it away with our Christmas ornaments so sometime in the next decade (or two) when grandchildren arrive on the scene I can read the book to them.

Chet Spiewak has created a beautifully illustrated, well written book that fits perfectly into the season before Christmas, that time of year when parents search for stories that address the meaning of Christmas, the anticipation of the season, and the joy that culminates on Christmas morning. Yes, there are other tales such as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and 'Why the Chimes Rang' and some others that fill that need to build on the holiday without focusing on just gifts. Spiewak's fine little book sets the stage both for the excitement ahead and suggests traditions that children/families can build upon to make the holiday truly a meaningful event. The main characters are traditional Christmas ornaments stashed in the attic until the holiday comes. Each of the ornaments (beautifully rendered through the magic of computer generated graphics) begins to prepare for Christmas when they spy the Christmas tree brought into the house. They polish each other and prepare, only to find that they are pushed aside from the merriment of hanging on the tree - discarded from their moment of glory. Halloween ornaments frighten the Christmas ornaments and mock the fact that they are stuck in the attic until the little ornaments decide to share the meaning of gift giving with the Halloween ornaments. Then together the band of decor find a way to sneak down the chimney only to fall asleep before they can climb the tree. But Christmas morning arrives and the children of the home delight in the shiny sleeping ornaments, placing them in the most visible spot on the celebratory Christmas Tree. The tale is simple, but very well told and the lessons for children and adults are enough to make re-reading the book throughout the season a pleasure. Spiewak has a winner here. And now is the time to order this book to savor either as sentimental adults or with children - of all ages! Grady Harp, October 07

The illustrations in this book are stunningly impressive, their three-dimensional appearance and exquisite detail are sure to catch and hold the eye of the youngster. The people at CWS studios, who specialize in 3D design sketches and artwork, are to be commended. Once I completed the book, I immediately went to their website to see what other books that the company has helped create. The story is about a set of Christmas tree ornaments that can't wait for the Christmas season to get here so that they can once again spread their message of cheer. However, due to some dirty tricks by the Halloween ornaments, they are placed aside and forgotten. Their attempt to overcome this setback is one of struggle and triumph. The combination of the happy ending and the illustrations make this an excellent Christmas present for the child in grades 2-4.

Author and illustrator Chet Spiewak uses film quality computer-generated 3D graphics to create his unique picturebook story of a colorful cast of Christmas ornaments who go on an adventure to find the perfect holiday tree. Trapped in an attic and all but forgotten, Percy, Stanley, Fiona and the rest of the Christmas ornaments embark upon their quest. Along the way the rather timid Percy gains confidence and the trust of his companions, all while teaching some old Halloween adversaries the real meaning of Christmas. This wonderfully illustrated and delightful Christmas 32-page picturebook is an enthusiastically recommended addition to family, grade school, and community library collections.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06) Percy and his friends wait eagerly for the arrival of the Christmas tree. Christmas is their favorite time of year. They prepared to be hung on the tree by cleaning and shining themselves, and then they climbed back into their box and waited. They felt their box moving but no one took them out of the box. Someone had hidden their box in the back part of the attic. Skitter and the other Halloween ornaments had played a trick on them. The Christmas ornaments teach Skitter and his friends the meaning of Christmas by giving him a gift. "We didn't mean to be mean." Skitter helped his new friends to find a way to the tree. This is a beautifully written book. The story teaches the meaning of Christmas in a manner that children can understand it. The illustrations are magnificent and make me want an ornament of each. The story is written simply enough for a four year old to understand and yet an 8 year old will still enjoy. The print is a nice size for grandparent's eyes. The cover is beautifully done and promises good things inside. This delightful book is sure to become a seasonal favorite. Your favorite children will rush to the bookshelf each year to retrieve Percy, Fiona, Stanley, Spencer, Topher, and Crystal. The sugar cookies and hot chocolate will be waiting next to my favorite chair as the grandchildren climb into my lap. I intend to read this book to each of my grandchildren this year. I am honored to recommend this book to parents and grandparents of children up to 8 years old. Well-done Mr. Spiewak!