Just me over here crying my face off. A lovely Christmas story and a mama who will not let anything stop her from fulfilling her husband and family’s word to provide a Christmas tree to their church. ( )

A picture book set in the Blue Ridge in North Carolina during WWI, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is the story of a young girl named Ruthie, whose family's turn it is to provide the community Christmas tree for the village church. She goes into the mountains with her father in the spring to mark a balsam tree to be cut down just before Christmas, but when he is called to war over the summer, the family's Christmas and their ability to provide the church with the perfect tree are thrown into jeopardy. This is a nice tale, pleasantly and pleasingly predictable (I won't spoil the particulars, but all turns out well, largely through the efforts of Ruthie's hardworking and resourceful mother), and the illustrations and small details about life in rural Appalachian North Carolina in the early twentieth century make the story special. ( )

Set in Appalachia during the First World War, a mother and daughter fulfill their family’s commitment to provide the tree for the Christmas program. It’s the perfect Christmas story of sacrifice and love. As always Barbara Cooney’s illustrations are delightful and enhance the story. ( )

A girl and her mother persevere to do their part for their Appalachian community's Christmas celebration despite the father being away fighting in World War I. ( )

It is Christmas time in the year 1918, and Ruthie and her mother await the return of Ruthie's father, off fighting in World War I, in this poignant and heart-satisfying holiday tale set in a small Appalachian village. When the pastor comes calling to remind Ruthie's mother that it is their family's turn to supply the church Christmas tree - an annual village tradition - she and Ruthie set out, the night before Christmas Eve, to find the perfect balsam fir, and to make good on their obligation. Sacrificing her own wedding dress, as well as the silk stocking sent to her as a special present, Ruthie's mother makes her a wonderful Christmas surprise, but no gift is greater than the one they both receive, after the church Christmas pageant...

The third Appalachian-themed picture-book I have read from the wonderfully talented Gloria Houston, following upon her My Great-Aunt Arizona and Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story pairs a moving tale of family love and community tradition with lovely artwork from Caldecott medalist Barbara Cooney. I loved all of the little regional details here, and the many bits of Christmas song that Ruthie and her mother sing as they harvest the tree. I particularly appreciated that there was mention of I Wonder As I Wander, an Appalachian folk song that has always been one of my favorites. The illustrations were beautiful, and captured the magic of Ruthie's mountain home, and her nighttime journey. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Christmas stories and/or tales set in Appalachia. ( )