The Singing Fir Tree - Hardcover

Marti Stone

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399222073 ISBN 13: 9780399222078

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 1992

Synopsis

In his quest to find the perfect wood for his masterpiece, a woodcarver tries to cut down the town's beloved singing fir tree

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- Beautifully illustrated with full-page paintings, this is a creative, secular retelling of a traditional Swiss folktale, originally a Christian allegory. Stone has adeptly transformed the story into an environmental fable. Pierre, a woodcarver, wants to create something that would make him "famous all over Switzerland." He discovers an ancient, enchanted fir tree that sends a special song down to the village "when the wind is right." Determined to use the wood to carve his masterpiece, the man tries various methods to cut down the tree, ignoring the villagers' advice as well as his own heart, which tells him that to destroy the tree would be tragic. After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally realizes that nothing he could make could be as beautiful as the tree's song. With a few branches that have fallen, however, he carves wooden birds that he freely gives to the village children. As the birds magically sing the fir tree's song, the tune is passed on to the next generation. If people use resources carefully, the story implies, then both the richness of the land and the skillful talents of people can be utilized and preserved. The worthy message and the well-constructed story flow together effortlessly, making this a lovely, lyrical book that's just right for reading aloud. --Cyrisse Jaffee, Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Stone's mild tale--her debut--preserves the ingenuousness of the Swiss folktale it retells. Longing to create a magnificent clock tower, Pierre the woodcarver covets the wood of a single fir tree high in the mountains. But the tree is home to a flock of birds, whose beautiful song brings constant joy to the villagers. Pierre tries various ruses to fell the tree, but each time the fir prevails, until Pierre at last realizes its incomparable worth as a living part of the forest. Settling for a few fallen branches, he carves melodious songbirds that delight the local children. Stone conveys a strong message about preservation, both of the environment and of tradition. Root's ( The Araboolies of Liberty Street ; Pumpkins ) illustrations of workshop, town and forest carry a genuine Old World flavor, but he has done better work, and his palette of dark greens and browns fails to give this book any special edge. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0399222073
• ISBN 13: 9780399222078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 1
• Illustrator: Barry Root