Sunday, December 10, 2017

RED AND LULU by Matt Tavares / Book Review


Written & Illustrated by: Matt Tavares
Published by: Penguin Random House
Released on: September 19th, 2017
Ages: 3 & up
Purchase from: Publisher | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 Owlets
Source: borrowed book 

Separation and miles cannot keep a determined cardinal from his loved one in an ode to serendipity and belief that is destined to be a new Christmas classic.

Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it's just the season for miracles. . . . 


From Matt Tavares comes a heart-tugging story combining the cheer of Christmas, the magic of New York City, and the real meaning of the holiday season: how important it is to be surrounded by love.

Love, Christmas magic, and a bustling New York City setting help create a heartwarming story about two birds hoping for a happy holiday reunion. Readers of all ages will fall in love with Red and Lulu's story.

When Lulu and Red's beloved beautiful evergreen tree is cut down with Lulu still inside, Red desperately tries to follow the tree as it's transported from it's spot. He soon finds himself in an unfamiliar place, and quickly gets lost. New York City's Central Park is beautiful, but it's not home, and his beloved Lulu isn't there. With a little help, and some Christmas magic, Red discovers something truly amazing about the new tree that's all aglow in New York City. 

Tavares's stunning illustrations capture the magic and love of the holidays. He combines all the feel good holiday elements for a book that's worth adding to your holiday book collection. This story's message is one that definitely resonated with us. We enjoyed the notes/history of the Christmas traditions in NYC, Tavares includes at the end of this book.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~