This book was a huge dud for me. It felt like the little old man was a bit of curmudgeon and while I appreciated the idea of going back to basics it just felt a little meh and like the guy was being hyper critical of what his neighbors enjoyed.

Overall won't be reading again.

I lovely book that I will be purchasing and adding to my class advent book bos in December. The illustrations were requisitioned and the story lovely. Flowing well. Really enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and North South Books for giving me the opportunity to read this. It's a classic, heartwarming story about bringing Christmas back. As some of us know, Christmas is not celebrated how it used to be, especially as everyone gets busier in their city life. The book is definitely great for children at all ages. I was not fond of the writing style and illustrations however. The writing style felt dull for a children's book. As for the illustrations, It was a bit hard to tell what was happening.

I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderful, heartwarming, cozy Christmas book. The story was fantastic and the pictures were great.

This is a timeless and heart-warming Christmas tale, perfect to read with your children on Christmas Eve.
The story follows an elderly man who longs for traditional celebrations but feels isolated. The deeper purpose of the book-showing the next generation that generational divisions in society can become obsolete with enough kindness and generosity- has certainly been fulfilled.
The book is cleverly worded to be age-appropriate, engaging, and memorable, accompanied by gorgeous illustrations.
A brilliant read, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of it..

I loved this heartwarming Christmas story for children. The book is magical and it has beautiful illustrations and a lovely story, which I really connected with. The story is about an old man who is thinking back to Christmas times that he had a long time ago, where the community held more of the Christmas spirit as they gathered together to tell stories and sing Christmas carols. He lives in a big city with lots of hustle and bustle and no-one seems to care about the real spirit of Christmas or his memories of children hanging gold paper stars to welcome any visitors. The old man decides to decorate a tree in the park with these paper stars and soon the community come to look at them with wonder. The spirit of Christmas is alive once again and the people are filled with joy at this simple spreading of magic and togetherness. My daughter loved the twinkling stars and she enjoyed counting them.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars

A sweet Christmas story of an old man yearning for the days of Christmas past when the world was a bit slower. A storm knocks the power out in the city and gives him the chance to lead the people in an "old-fashioned" Christmas. Unique illustrations, easy story for little ones to follow. 2 and up

Thank you NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

3.5 Stars
The story is about an old man living in a small house as the city grew around him. He misses the old days when life was simpler and closer to Nature. It’s Christmas time, but he has none to talk to. He makes golden stars from old paper and goes out to decorate a tree on a hilltop. Others from the city soon join him, and he feels the Christmas spirit from the past.
The illustrations are soft and roughish. Almost like the author wanted the drawing to not have sharp edges. The theme of the story is lovely. However, the writing seemed too pale in comparison. I couldn’t feel that level of connection despite the theme. And the text in the ARC copy was way too tiny for a comfortable read.
Overall, it’s a warm book that could have been better.
Thank you, NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., for the ARC.

This is a quick story but I did not get a feel a storyline exists. I am not sure a child would enjoy something like this to read. Illustrations were decent.

Thank you NetGalley and North South Books Inc. for a copy of "The Star Tree" in exchange for my honest review.

This is a delightful read aimed at the Preschool to grade 2 age group. However I think it would appeal to children of all ages. It reminds us of the simple Christmases of the past. How the Christmas spirit is powerful and miraculous.

The story is about an old man who has lived in his house for as long as he can remember. Around him skyscrapers have sprung up and people don't know or care about each other like they used to. A few days before Christmas he is longing for the Christmases of long ago. He is sad that children no longer make gold stars to hang in their windows to welcome visitors. He remembers that he still has some gold paper and he makes some stars but he wonders as he sees all the gaudy Christmas decorations, if anyone would even see his simple golden stars.

He decides to take them out of the city to the countryside where everything is peaceful. A storm comes and rips the gaudy decorations down and the power goes out. In the darkness and silence the people notice a man in the moon and something sparkling. They decide to bundle themselves up and go see what is happening. They find the old man hanging stars from the tree and they twinkle beautifully in the moonlight. Some of the children start to softly sing Christmas carols. The old man gives them some golden stars which they take home and hang in their windows and make more of their own.

The old man is happy because he was able to share a simple Christmas pleasure from long ago. He saw the city shining in the glow of Christmas stars.

A beautiful story to read aloud to children and enjoy as a family, to learn about the true spirit of Christmas.

The Star Tree is a children's book about the magic of Christmas. An old man reminisces of a simpler time when Christmas was about beauty and community. When the lights go out in the big city, the old man creates golden stars made of paper to reflect the moonlight. The community comes together to enjoy the beauty and simplicity of Christmas.

This illustrated children's Christmas book reminds us of looking for beauty and magic in the little things in life. It is defined as a classic story, however, it is not one I remember. It was a beautiful story that should last generations. My only issue with this book is the illustrations. They are beautiful but I would prefer them to be more refined. This review is that of an advanced reader's copy so I am hoping that, in the final product, the illustrations can be a little more refined to reflect the beauty they are meant to convey.

I received an advanced reader's copy from #NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This book is reminiscent of Virginia Lee Burton's The Little House. Sure to become a Christmas classic. The golden stars represent our hope for a brighter future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was a sweet secular Christmas book about embracing the simple things. I didn't love the illustrations but overall it was worth reading.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an electronic uncorrected proof to read and review.

I love Christmas, especially the decorations but also the memories of those older Christmas seasons many years ago. The retro Christmas holds a dear place in my heart, so to read this story about an old man grieving for the passing of these older times, whilst trying to keep them alive in competition with modern, bright, loud decorations, was incredibly lovely and sweet.

The writing was nice, the story not too long or drawn out which is perfect for the age group this book would be targeting. As a primary school teacher I would absolutely pull this book out at Christmas time, not only for enjoyment but also to learn about the difference between Christmas and celebrations now as opposed to in the past. Personally, I found it quite clear the author probably had English as a second language, as the writing was very short and to the point, and lacked some flow and whimsy, like the illustrations bring about for the reader. Overall a sweet book.

This was such a wholesome and charming book. I am very excited to share it with my daughter, and read it this Christmas. The illustrations are absolutely divine, and the story is so sweet.

I would definitely read this book to my kindergarten class. I loved the cover and the beautiful stars on the inside cover, but the actual illustrations inside the book didn’t really do much for me, probably just a personal thing. Young children would absolutely enjoy this story and it would make a good classroom read-aloud. Thank you for the pleasure of reviewing this ARC.

This is a lovely Christmas book. It has a standard sort of Christmas message, but it's told in a way that makes it just different enough from other books that it's not just another "Christmas is time to be nice" book. The illustrations are wonderful and perfect for the story.

Gorgeous, luminescent watercolors alongside one man's search for a simpler, truer way to celebrate Christmas.

The pictures were absolutely gorgeous: colorful and magical and glowing. I loved the whimsy and quietness of the story. It felt like a classic Christmas story that we just hadn't read before.

I didn't enjoy the almost disdain towards another way to celebrate, such as calling the lights "garrish." I would have preferred something like him just focusing on his desire for a quieter, simpler celebration, or memories of his past, rather than judgement. It made him less sympathetic to the character.

I read to my six year old daughter. She liked the stars.

Set during Christmas, this is a heartwarming read about the joy of giving and sharing. I also quite enjoyed the social commentary about city life: So much hustle and bustle, not stopping to appreciate our surroundings, and the loneliness. My favourite thing about this book would be the beautiful illustrations!

I had not read this story before. Overall, it did not resonate well for our family. The story seemed disjointed at times and preachy at others. The illustrations did not improve the story. I can see the underlying premise, but it just wasn't able to pull through and carry the book.