Christmas books are hit or misses. Are they “too Santa” or are they “too Spiritual” or are they trying too hard to mix the two? Or are they trying to be “cute” and fall so far from the mark that it is a puddle of mush on the page?
During my morning rounds at work the other day, I spotted this book faced out. I was thinking either “too Santa” or “too religious” (and while neither is wrong, I just like books “in the middle” to give them a broader appeal). I was pleasantly surprised at how lovely The Tree That’s Meant to Be is. Both illustrations and text are positive and bright without being overpowering. Yrval Zommer’s story is about being yourself, your place is just “around the corner” and patience, but not in an overtly preachy manner. The colors are perfect for what is needed and a blend of soft and bold at the same time. The characters come to life and while the text is spiritual, it is not overly religious.
If there is any issue, it might be a bit “cute” or “quaint” for some. The ending is a tad obvious (the tree will find the perfect home even if it is a bit of a Charlie Brown tree). Yet, that is what makes it the perfect non-Santa holiday story. It shows the true meaning of the holiday and the season. It shows a unique family and the joy they take from this tree. And afterwards, it shows how the tree has grown (physically and spiritually) to appreciate themselves.