Sibling Cooperation Makes Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree "Beautiful!"

When I happened upon Jingle Bell Christmas, featuring the Backyardigans, I felt rather hip in my knowledge of programming popular among preschoolers despite my lack of cable television. But then I read Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree and realized that these were also characters on Nick Jr. and that I had never heard of them. The only author credit the book provides is that this simple story featuring cartoonish rabbits is based upon characters created by Rosemary Wells.

Max and Ruby are siblings, and like most siblings, they don't necessarily agree on everything. I don't know where their parents are while the pair of young rabbits attempt to decorate the tree themselves, but boy, are they in for a surprise when they return! Sophisticated Ruby, who seems to be several years - or in rabbit terms, months, I suppose - Max's senior, wants the Christmas tree adorned with a distinguished display of traditional ornaments, while Max insists that his more Halloweenish toys - a snake, spider and alien, gummy worms and vampire teeth - are "Beautiful!"

What to do, what to do? Why, compromise, of course! While there is a bit of bickering, Ruby soon decides to let her little brother have his fun. They can both have it their way, and though the tree will be unconventional, it will be a testament to both their individuality and their partnership. I find that spirit of cooperation refreshing.

The pictures in this large board book are bright but unremarkable, and the same goes for the text, which is limited to about three sentences per page and set aside in a white box with words that coordinate with the color of the page's background. Next to each text box is a little circle containing a small picture, and these little peepholes are probably my favorite aspect of the book, at least visually. Also fun is the cover, which is puffy plastic rather than the same rigid material of the rest of the book.

As Christmas tree decorating tales go, this one isn't anywhere near the most engaging, and I'd say the Backyardigans have it beat in the Nick Jr. neighborhood, but Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree is still a cute book, especially for brothers and sisters who could use a reminder about how much fun can be had when they get along.