Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree

by Kathy Porter

Do you love to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as I do? Can you believe it? I found a cute Christmas book that uses all three of those elements! Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree is that story. It was written in the 60’s but it is easily found in your local library on a “Picture Book” shelf labeled B for Robert Barry. Even though recycling words aren’t used, the characters demonstrate the three Rs by unintentionally recycling the treetop each time someone reduces the size of it and tosses it out to be found by the next character, until all have used a piece of Mr Willowby’s Christams tree.

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The story begins with a giant tree delivered to Mr. Willowby’s mansion. It is too tall for the parlor so the top is lopped off by the butler who thinks it is such a waste to throw it out so he gives it to the upstairs maid. She deftly cuts off the top with scissors and throws it outside. The gardener notices and takes the tree home to his wife. She cuts off the treetop and tosses it out the window. Now the fun really begins when a bear finds it and takes it home. Mama bear chops off the top and flings it out the door. A fox finds it and takes it home to his delighted family but his wife cuts off the top and tosses it out too. A father rabbit picks up the reduced tree and happily hops home to his warren where they have a rollicking, frolicking, carrot-shaking celebration after Mrs. Rabbit slices off the top and throws it out. Finally, a mouse finds the tiny top of the tree and has a hard time dragging it home but triumphantly succeeds. And wouldn't you know it? His mouse hole is in Mr. Willowby’s parlor. Now they have a cheese topped tree to rival Mr. Willilowby’s giant Christmas tree.

To buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Objective: I can organize and use sequence words..

Supplies:

2 activity sheets, Crayons or Markers, Scissors, Glue or Tape.

Directions:

1. Color the tree.
2. Color the animals and cut around the rectangular lines.
3. Glue the animals onto the tree in the order of the story, one above the other until all are glued with the mouse at the top.
4. Use sequence words to retell the order of events. First, the bear found the tree. Next, the fox found the tree, then the rabbit. Finally, the mouse found the tip and took it to his mouse hole next to Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree.

A Different Variation:

• With a parent or teacher, search on the Internet for ways a Christmas tree can be recycled after the holidays. For instance, the needles can be used as mulch for tomato plants.