Mario Cuomo (1932–2015)

Mario is unhappy when his father says the family is leaving the small apartment behind the family grocery store. There will live in a house with a yard for playing and a great big beautiful tree. It is his father’s dream to have a house with a yard and a tree.

And so they move. And Mario reads in the shade of the huge blue spruce. He builds snowmen sheltered by the tree. Sometimes he simply watches the green tree grow. And, in the night, he whispers his secrets to the tree. He’s sure the tree understands Papa’s dream.

But then an intense thunderstorm, filled with lightning and raging wind, threatens the big blue spruce.

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The story comes to life in the stunning illustrations that cover every page. Here young readers learn that perseverance and hard work have value. They see that dreams may come true through determination, hard work, and failing to give up. These are the life lessons passed on to Mario by Papa.

The targeted audience here is the young reader, ages five through nine, kindergarten through fourth grade. But parents will enjoy sharing this book and its exquisite pictures with their children.

Highly recommended.… (mehr)