Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

by Freddy Wexler (Author) Fanny Berthiaume (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Celebrate friendship, giving, and the true meaning of Christmas with Everett Green, the palm tree with plenty of personality!

The tiki torch is lit, the hula dancers are ready, the stage is set. It's...Christmastime in Hawaii!

Everett Green is a singing, dancing palm tree waiting for his big break. He dreams of being a star, yet has no idea how to make it happen--until he sees the Rockefeller Tree on TV. Determined to become the most famous Christmas tree ever, Everett is ready to hightail it out of Hawaii and make his big debut in the Big Apple.

But it's not all clear skies for Everett when a New York snowstorm grounds his flight.

Stuck in the airport with hundreds of disgruntled travelers, Everett must dig deep for holiday spirit if he wants to become a real Christmas tree!

From grammy-nominated songwriter Freddy Wexler comes a modern Christmas classic: the story of a would-be Christmas tree who comes to see that Christmas is not what or where you are, but who you're with.

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--In this modern Christmas tale, a small Hawaiian palm tree named Everett Green pursues his dream to become the most famous and glamorous tree, like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. Everett, in hot pursuit of fame and glory, spruces up with twinkling lights and heads to the airport for New York. When a winter storm grounds all flights, the palm tree realizes his dream is over. However, a little girl notices him and tells him he looks like a Christmas tree to her, which instills a newfound confidence and generosity of spirit in him. He cheers up the sad stranded passengers with his singing and performing talents, teaching everyone, including himself, that the holiday is about spreading joy no matter where you are or what you look like. This book includes some clever wordplay, including "branch out," "ruffle his fronds," and "spruce up a bit," while the pages are well-spaced with vibrant illustrations. VERDICT The incongruity of a Hawaiian palm tree centered in a Christmas story will delight and amuse readers. Consider this one for picture book shelves.--Jane Huh

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Freddy Wexler
Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. He was recently named in Variety's Family Entertainment Impact Report List for Film and Television and included as one of the "World's Greatest Songwriters" in Music Business Worldwide. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been streamed billions of times and recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, Lil Wayne, the Jonas Brothers, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Halsey, Pink, Marshmello, Shakira, Diana Ross, Enrique Iglesias, Celine Dion, Martin Garrix, Pusha T, Wyclef Jean, Tiesto, DNCE, Steve Aoki, and Avicii.

Fanny Berthiaume worked in the entertainment industry for 14 years. From miniature set builder for the National Film Board of Canada to 3D environment artist and matte painter on major Hollywood productions, she worked on a variety of exciting projects. Fanny now offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593567944
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 22, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV017010 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Christmas & Advent
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Picture books
Christmas
Trees
Palms

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