What a wonderful story with a great lesson. Alexis York Lumbard retells an old Native American legend in Pine and Winter Sparrow. Sparrow is hurt and cannot fly off with his family for the winter. He tries to find shelter in an oak tree, a maple tree, an elm tree, an aspen tree, but all of these trees send him on his way without so much as a rest. It is Pine who reaches out to Sparrow and offers him refuge. "If you don't mind my sticky branches and needle-sharp leaves, then all that I am and all that I have is yours." The Creator notes, "Those of you who have so much shared nothing. But the one who had so little shared everything." To reward Pine for his kindness to Sparrow, the Creator makes Pine green all year round. Beautiful illustrations round out this wonderful story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I love Native American stories and Alexis York Lumbard has done a wonderful job retelling the story of why Pine trees stay green all year in her children’s book, Pine and the Winter Sparrow.

Although little Sparrow is injured he remains positive and continues to sing his happy song daily as a tribute to the Creator. Because of his injury, Sparrow cannot fly south to warmer weather like his fellow birds, so he's left behind to find his own shelter from the cold and snowy winter.

As Sparrow goes from tree to tree - Oak, Maple, Elm, etc. - he's rudely rejected by each of them. Finally, Pine gives Sparrow the shelter he needs to get through the winter. Sparrow is so securely nestled within Pine’s boughs; he's fully healed by the time his friends and family return in spring. When the Creator hears how Pine allowed Sparrow to take shelter in his branches, and how rude the other trees were, he declares that from then on only Pine will remain green throughout the year.

I loved this book. The pictures are charming, colorful and are sure to capture the attention of children. Pine and the Winter Sparrow would be a wonderful book to share at nap time, circle time, bedtime or during reading time at the library. Teachers, parents, grandparents and caregivers should definitely include this book in their book collection. ( )

Alexis York Lumbard retells an old Native American legend in Pine and Winter Sparrow. Sparrow is hurt and cannot fly off with his family for the winter. He tries to find shelter in an oak tree, a maple tree, an elm tree, an aspen tree, but all of these trees send him on his way with a cruel reproach. It is Pine who reaches out to Sparrow and offers him refuge. "If you don't mind my sticky branches and needle-sharp leaves, then all that I am and all that I have is yours." The Creator notes, "Those of you who have so much shared nothing. But the one who had so little shared everything." To reward Pine for his kindness to Sparrow, the Creator makes Pine evergreen. Oh my. I loved this little story of the willingness of a flawed creature to give despite its flaws. And with trees as main characters. ( )