Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS Plus Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. One of my favorite moments is when a book is published that I saw as a rough draft years before. It’s a great feeling to know that my feedback might have helped shape the story. If you are a writer, do you share your manuscripts with critique buddies? I hope the answer to that is a big YES…because IMO, critique groups are a crucial ingredient in paving a successful path to publication. And today’s featured book is by one of my long-time critique partners, author and editor Alayne Kay Christian.

THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed

Written by Alayne Kay Christian

Illustrated by Polina Gortman

Published by Blue Whale Press

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Kindness, Christmas, community spirit

Synopsis: From Amazon:

The The Weed that Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Tree is the story of a small gesture that turned into a phenomenon that was seen around the world. Partly truth and partly fiction, it is based on the inspiring true story of how a weed on a Toledo street corner helped spread the giving spirit far beyond its traffic island home. All Weed wants is to be seen, but people are in too much of a hurry to notice each other, let alone Weed. Weed watches, wishes, and waits until finally someone does see it. But Weed discovers that there is something far bigger and more important than a little weed being noticed.

Why I love this book:

  1. We need books like this that encourage kindness and compassion and caring about others.
  2. A new Christmas story – hooray – and this one is based on a true event.
  3. Wonderfully warm illustrations.

And here’s a bit about the author and illustrator and how you can connect with them:

Books like this one are so important, especially these days. We need to thank authors and illustrators for creating them…and the best way to do that is to:

Buy their books if you can, review their books, tell friends about their books, and ask local libraries to purchase their books. READY! SET! GO!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Photo courtesy: https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/35-seed-activities-for-young-kids.html

Seeds can provide all sorts of fun-filled activities for kids…from planting them to doing arts and crafts activities. Check out this wonderful link for 35 great projects: https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/35-seed-activities-for-young-kids.html

For more great picture book reviews and activities, head on over to Susanna Hill’s blog for her Perfect Picture Book Friday linky list.

Don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS…and please share on social media for more tickets in the giveaway hat.

Holidays can be a challenge – and now with millions of people dealing with Covid restrictions, hours cut, jobs lost…the challenge is intensified. I know many of you are already doing what you can to help. I’ll be selling my car soon and plan to donate a chunk of the money I receive to the local food banks here in Southern New Hampshire. Any ideas on how else I could help?

23 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS Plus Giveaway”

  2. This sounds delightful! It puts me in mind of when we I grew up in Arizona. Many families decorated tumble weeds as Christmas trees. We also made snowmen with them. Can’t wait to read about this weed! Love the extra activities too. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  3. This books sounds wonderful and heart-warming. Congratulations, Alayne! Thanks for sharing about it, Vivian. I also loved reading about the generous donation you have planned, Vivian.

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  6. This sounds like a great story! And although it’s probably off the theme of the story, it brings to mind the way my mom and aunt shared plants among their friends, all through seeds and cuttings or separated bulbs. One of many ways to grow community, yes? And another is to donate to a local food bank. So yes, that is our plan.

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    • Jilanne, I love your sweet memory! I used to do that with my mom and a few neighbors too. It’s always so cool to see how other people tended to the cuttings. Some were huge! We have one that is 25 yrs old. It is now the parent plant. This book is definitely a community book and would be a great read aloud at a library…I guess virtually for now. sigh. Take care!✌🏼😊

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  9. On a separate note, Vivian, I love your car donation plan. Though we support our local food bank, and work at meals on wheels, it didn’t occur to me to take money from a car sale. We have one to sell. that is a great idea. Hope car isn’t too old. If so, then we donate it. Wishing you joy and good health in your new digs. Pictures please?!😁💙

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  10. Reading something by Vivian about a book by Alayne makes me smile! I can’t wait to read this book! Sometimes we all feel like Weed, and the world always needs more kindness. Thanks for the post, Vivian, and congratulations to you, Alayne!

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  12. Thanks again, Vivian for sharing a fellow writer’s success! Alayne, Congratulations on your new Christmas story. It sounds great and I’m hoping to learn more about mixing truth and fiction.

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  15. Callie was just showing us your new book, Alayne. We all agreed it sounds like fuzzy warm hearts. So happy for you! The illustrations are a delight !!! I’m looking forward to buying a copy.
    p.s. as for selling your car and donating, Vivian, splendid idea! Giving to St. Jude’s is always a big help for those who are sick and in need too.

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  18. Pingback: THE HARDEST BOOK LAUNCHES I’VE EVER DONE | Alayne Kay Christian

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