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?
“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
Lori Nichols is the author and illustrator of the award-winning picture book Maple. Its companion books include Maple & Willow Together, Maple & Willow Apart, and Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree. She also illustrated Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! by Candace Fleming.
Lori’s debut book, Maple, won the Giverny Award and was selected to represent the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 2015 and 2016. Both Maple and Maple & Willow Together were named a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year.
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?
Reviews
“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
Author
Lori Nichols is the author and illustrator of the award-winning picture book Maple. Its companion books include Maple & Willow Together, Maple & Willow Apart, and Maple & Willow’s Christmas Tree. She also illustrated Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! by Candace Fleming.
Lori’s debut book, Maple, won the Giverny Award and was selected to represent the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in 2015 and 2016. Both Maple and Maple & Willow Together were named a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year.
