Marti Stone

Pierre the woodcarver dreams of creating something so beautiful and wondrous that it will make him famous in this Swiss folktale. Moving up to a small alpine village, he soon has a regular customer base, but still longs to do something extraordinary. Then one day he hears a humming from the forest above, and discovers an unusual singing fir tree. Deciding to use this fir tree's wood to make a gorgeous clock tower, Pierre is dismayed to discover that the villagers love the tree, and oppose its destruction. At first he attempts to get what he wants through trickery, but eventually he realizes that the tree is most beautiful as it is...

A fascinating story that pits artistic creation against natural beauty, before reconciling them in the end, The Singing Fir Tree: A Swiss Folktale was a pleasure to read. It appears to be author Marti Stone's only published work, which seems a shame. The rear dust-jacket blurb mentions that, at the time of publication in 1992, she was a psychiatric nurse who worked with young people. Perhaps that explains the sensitivity shown here, in the narrative. The accompanying illustrations from Barry Root, whose work I know from such titles as Christmas Farm and Pumpkins: A Story for a Field, by Mary Lyn Ray, are appealing. Recommended to all young folklore enthusiasts, and to tree lovers as well.… (más)