The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt and illustrated by Tim Jonke (David Cooke 1989) tells us of three trees with big dreams. One wants to be a treasure chest, one wants to be a mighty ship, and one wants to stay where he is and point to heaven. When woodsmen cut them down, the first becomes a manger, the second becomes a fishing boat, and the third becomes a beam, and they all learn that their dreams have come true, for they each hold the Savior of the world in a different way.
I like to include this with my Christmas books because it reminds me of the true treasures of the Christmas season. It also works well as an Easter book because the final scene emphasizes that the cross was empty after the crucifixion. Most of the book focuses on the trees and their dreams; the connection to the Lord only comes at the very end.
