The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Rubel, David

The Carpenter's Gift

48 pp. | Random | September, 2011 | Trade ISBN 978-0-375-86922-8 $17.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jim LaMarche. During the Depression, kindly construction workers build Henry's impoverished family a new home. Later, an enormous tree Henry planted becomes the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, and its lumber is used to build a house for a similarly needy family. Rubel's story of compassion hits all the right holiday notes while LaMarche's lush, warm illustrations drive home the central message of charity.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011