Lori Nichols’s delightful book celebrates the bond of two nature-loving sisters, and their ability to find fantastic kid-powered solutions to any problem—and it will give allergy sufferers an extra reason to celebrate.
Maple and Willow
love trees—and now they are getting their first real Christmas tree. It is going to be the
best Christmas ever! After a snowy expedition to pick out the perfect tree, it’s time to decorate. But whenever Maple gets near the tree, she starts sniffling and sneezing. Could she really be allergic to the perfect Christmas tree? And if so, how will the girls find a way to make this the best Christmas after all?
Lori Nichols (www.lorinichols.com) spent her childhood in northwestern Pennsylvania, surrounded by maple trees. As she grew, so did her appreciation of trees and nature. Her books about nature-loving sisters Maple and Willow spring from this love, and the
New York Times Book Review called them “utterly charming.” Lori now lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and three free-spirited daughters. Many days you can find Lori and her family under their maple tree, swinging in hammocks, playing kickball or just being loud.
“The understated humor, spare language, and white backgrounds convey a calm, minimalist world in which Christmas isn't overwhelming and sisters always work out their differences. Endearing illustrations . . . show the two round-headed, light-skinned little girls enjoying their time together, from sledding to baking to building an unusual snowman. . . . A charming addition to a winning series.”
—Kirkus Reviews“As in previous books, Nichols admirably captures the sisterly bond, often without words. The ink-and-watercolor artwork is full of real-life emotions. . . . A welcome holiday choice.”
—Booklist “The fourth book featuring charming young sisters Maple and Willow. . . . Cheerful pastel pencil drawings with plenty of white space appropriately capture the snowy season. Simple yet satisfying, this story of sibling thoughtfulness and surprise successfully evokes the holiday spirit.”
—School Library Journal“Nichols does a lovely job of showing the closeness between these girls and how that closeness is, at least temporarily, threatened. . . . [Willow’s] (truly unexpected) solution to their allergy-driven holiday dilemma will bring smiles to readers’ faces, just as it does to Maple’s.”
—Publishers Weekly“The story’s resolution is creatively festive. . . . [Nichols’s] drawings highlight the emotions and energy of these spirited siblings.”
—The Horn Book
