The Minstrel Tree

A delightful book for children and the child in all of us.

.....story what-ever time of year. This is a beautiful story of christmas past and future,i`ts about remembering those things that we take for granted most days and when not around are suddenly remembered.This book also stands for independence, beauty in all shapes and sizes but most of all change...which can be a good thing...given time.

I had the opportunity to read The Minstrel Tree, to agroup of youngsters, ranging from 2 to 10 years old,several weeks ago, at the Dover Plains, New York LibraryThe children enjoyed the illustrations as I continued withthe book. The kids enjoyed the characters and really gotinto them, to the point that they would not let me stopreading at the end of the secession. They had to know whathappened, so we continued and finished the book. At the endthey all clapped. It's an enjoyable and entertaining story.

The Minstrel Tree is a book that I just found so heartwarming and so fresh and so beautifully illustrated. It is so wise and meaningful at this particular time because of the theme of percerverence in the face of adversity. Mr. Shane's writing style is both right for young readers and never plays down to them and at the same time is totally engaging for the adult reader. This book is a must for this Christmas and many more. IT IS A CLASSIC!