Sneak Peek Review of the Children's Holiday-Themed Book The Christmas Tree Ship

This is a sneak peek review of the children's holiday-themed Book The Christmas Tree Ship. It is authored by Carol Crane and illustrated by Chris Ellison. It is published by Sleeping Bear Press. I was provided a review copy of this children's holiday-themed book by Sleeping Bear Press, but was under no obligation to recommend it. My observations are my own.

Synopsis and Review of The Christmas Tree Ship

This 32 page book is fictional but based on actual events that occurred roughly a century ago. The author tells the story of the time when she was a girl, when she and her brother lived with their grandparents. Grandpa Axel was a lighthouse keeper on the shores of Lake Michigan, and so they all lived in the lighthouse. Some of Crane's best memories came during story time with her grandfather, especially when Grandpa Axel would tell of the account of the boat called the Rouse Simmons. It was a Christmas tree boat that would haul Christmas trees each November through the stormy waters of Lake Michigan all the way to Chicago.

But in 1912, the same year as the tragic happenings of the Titanic, that special trip would be the last for the boat and its crew and captain, who was nicknamed "Captain Santa." For Lake Michigan's fury would claim them forever, and remnants of the wreckage would wash ashore. And the family of the old Captain would find a way to keep the goodness of the Christmas ship going, where the late Captain would actually give away trees to those who couldn't afford them.

I do recommend this uplifting children's holiday-themed book because the story is told in such a way as to draw the reader into another time, almost 100 years ago. The illustrations by Chris Ellison are beautifully-detailed, and evoke a real sense of nostalgia and also a feeling of what the holidays should be truly about: spending time with loved ones and allowing one's elders to share their life experiences with the younger generation.

This book is scheduled to be available at retail outlets like Amazon.com on September 3, 2011, and its Suggested Retail Price is $15.95. The ISBN Number for The Christmas Tree Ship is 1-58536-285-9. For more information on the publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, contact 315 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone 800-487-2323. Email: sleepingbearpress@cengage.com Website here