About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the pressure of holiday expectations or struggling with the disappointment of plans not going exactly as imagined. It is a gentle, humorous look at what happens when the traditional symbols of a holiday are missing and how creativity can fill that gap. Rory is a young dinosaur who wants a perfect Christmas tree, but his island home only offers coconut trees and cacti. Through his journey with his father, children learn that the spirit of the season is found in the people you love rather than the objects you own. The story provides a wonderful model for emotional resilience and flexible thinking. It is perfectly pitched for preschoolers and early elementary students, using Liz Climo's signature minimalist art style to deliver big emotional truths with a light touch. Parents will appreciate the supportive relationship between Rory and his dad, which emphasizes problem-solving and togetherness over material perfection.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None.
Ideal Reader
A 4-year-old who loves dinosaurs and might be feeling anxious about an upcoming holiday or a change in family traditions.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. It is a straightforward, sweet narrative that naturally leads into a conversation about family traditions. A child expressing sadness because a holiday event didn't meet their specific expectations, or a child who is worried about 'doing Christmas right.'
Age Experience
Younger children (3-4) will enjoy identifying the different animals and the physical humor of the decorations. Older children (6-7) will better grasp the irony of a dinosaur trying to find a pine tree on a tropical island and the deeper message about 'the spirit of the season.'
What Makes It Special
Unlike many holiday books that lean into magic or Santa, this focuses on the realistic (and funny) struggle of making a holiday feel special in a non-traditional environment, anchored by a strong father-son bond.
Read plot summary
Rory the dinosaur is excited for Christmas but frustrated that his island home lacks traditional evergreen trees. He and his father search the island, encountering various obstacles and unsuitable plants. Eventually, through a series of creative mishaps and help from friends, Rory realizes that being together is more important than having a specific type of tree. They create their own version of a festive home using what they have available.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Rory felt sad when he couldn't find a real evergreen tree. Have you ever felt disappointed when something didn't look the way you expected?
2
Rory's dad helped him find new ways to decorate. How did they use their imagination to make the island feel like Christmas?
3
What are some things our family does together that make the holidays feel special, even without presents or trees?
4
Look at how Rory's friends helped out. Which friend's decoration was your favorite and why?
5
If you lived on a tropical island like Rory, what would you use to make a holiday tree?
