  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 10/01/2016 Sisters Maple and Willow make their fourth appearance, and this time out, they’re getting ready for Christmas. The girls are finally buying a real tree, and the snowy spreads at the Christmas tree farm are as enticing as the girls are excited. But alas, Maple is allergic to the trees, and Willow is hardly sympathetic. When Maple apologizes for ruining Christmas, Willow says, “I’m sorry you ruined Christmas, too.” It doesn’t take long for Willow to feel bad, and she comes up with a plan. Whether or not readers will find the result quite as delightful as the girls do—Willow decorates a ladder as a tree substitute—it does make the ending a surprise. As in previous books, Nichols admirably captures the sisterly bond, often without words. The ink-and-watercolor artwork is full of real-life emotions, everything from Maple’s dismay at her reddening nose as the allergies kick in to the final images of the girls enjoying their yule ladder. A welcome holiday choice. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. School Library Journal - 10/01/2016 PreS-Gr 2—The fourth book featuring charming young sisters Maple and Willow is set at Christmas, when the excitement of getting a real tree for the first time is eclipsed by Maple's immediate allergic reaction to it. Both girls are sad when they have to put the tree outside as a result. After an exchange of words during which feelings are hurt, Willow gets creative and surprises Maple with a decorated ladder "tree." Cheerful pastel pencil drawings with plenty of white space appropriately capture the snowy season. VERDICT Simple yet satisfying, this story of sibling thoughtfulness and surprise successfully evokes the holiday spirit.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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