The Christmas tree tangle
(Kids Holiday)

Ages 4-7. At the center of town is a gigantic Christmas tree, and a tiny kitten clings to the top branch. This is the situation that Mahy's cumulative poem describes as one animal after another climbs the tree to rescue kitty, only to get stuck themselves. Cat, dog, goat, pigs--they're all in there, hanging onto branches like ornaments. Young children will most likely get a kick out of seeing a tree decorated in such a fashion and will also respond to the innate humor in the situation--especially when the cat climbs down at story's end, leaving the others stranded. Kerins' acrylic paintings are realistic but can still absorb the fantasy element of the story. However, children will wonder where the animals come from in the first place and why the Santa statue--which has remained stationary throughout most of the book, but then suddenly climbs into a sleigh--doesn't save the day. Mahy's rhyming poetry begins weakly but gains strength. For larger collections. ~--Kathryn Broderick

A curious kitten gets the ball rolling in this rollicking cumulative tale of unusual efforts made to rescue the tiny feline from the top of the Christmas tree. Well-meaning animals take turns trying to get the kitten down, all with snarled results. The kitten finds her way back to the ground, but leaves her would-be rescuers stuck in the tree. A clever child carries out the detanglement in time for a holiday feast. Even if a tad too anthropomorphic at times, Kerins's vivacious acrylic paintings capture playful animals at their antic best. Ages 5-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

A jolly, rollicking poem describes the plight of a rambunctious kitten that gets stuck on the star of a giant Christmas tree. When other animals try to help, they get stuck as well -- until a brave and clever girl performs a daring rescue. The animals' efforts and dangling positions are depicted with charming precariousness in the acrylic illustrations. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Veteran Mahy (A Fortune Branches Out, p. 559, etc.; The Greatest Show Off Earth, see p. p. 1412) scores again with this rhyming tale of animal mayhem. The Christmas aspect is superfluous, since the story could be told in any locale or time of year. A mischievous kitten climbs a Christmas tree, then gets stuck at the tip. A cat, a dog, a goat, and some pigs go to her rescue, each one getting stuck in turn. But the kitten proves to be a trickster and scampers down, leaving the other animals stranded. Finally, an unnamed heroine saves the day. The verse is witty and effortless as a bell's chime. Kerins adds a few clever touches--the pigs ascend in rappelling gear, the child via balloon--but overall the illustrations are mediocre and lack a sense of danger. Not her best work, but average Mahy beats the rest of the pack when it comes to plain, unaffected fun. (Fiction/Picture book. 5-8)