Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers on September 24, 2024
Genres: Children's, Christmas
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Wide like an elephant and tall like a camel. That would be the perfect Christmas tree.
When Nisha and her father set out to pick out a Christmas tree, she wants a big tree, but her Baba wants a small one. Nisha tries to persuade Baba they need a big tree to fit the new ornaments from India. She'll even help pull the wagon! But Baba still insists on a small tree. So when Baba and Nisha surprisingly agree on the same tree, she suddenly isn't sure about it. Is the tree they both like big or small? In the end, the tree is the perfect size--for the ornaments, for their apartment, and for sharing Christmas cookies and silvery burfi.
Nisha's Just-Right Christmas Tree captures a familiar Christmas tradition through charming text and illustrations. Based on a true story from author Jaya Mehta's childhood, the book beautifully demonstrates a blend of cultures between Nisha's father, who is Hindu, and her mother, who is Christian, as they celebrate Christmas together in their Brooklyn Heights apartment.
December is awash with holidays, cultural and religious, new and ancient. What happens when those traditions intersect? Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree offers an alternative to the “culture wars” and instead teaches us a lesson in sharing our celebrations. Nisha is on the hunt for a big Christmas tree, but her Baba reminds her that they live in a small apartment and that a smaller tree would be best. Nisha wants a tree that can hold all the ornaments, that’s taller than her, and that fills their house. Baba wants something he can get up the apartment stairs. The two look and look and the finally find one that seems best for both of them.
On the surface, you can read Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree as a story about a young girl finding…well…a Christmas tree that’s just right. But read a bit deeper and you’ll find a story about blending culture and traditions. Nisha’s Baba is from India; her mom is from Maine. They have different traditions surrounding the holidays. Baba grew up celebrating Raksha Bandan and Diwali. Her mom grew up celebrating Christmas. The blending of traditions is seen in how the Christmas tree is decorated and symbolized by how, although Baba and Nisha have different ideas about the perfect tree, they each find one that is right for them.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree doesn’t get into the more complex religious differences that might be present, instead choosing to focus on cultural ritual. In an author’s note, Jaya Mehta notes that the story was inspired by her own mixed-culture upbringing. I think this was a good decision, as it allows young readers to begin to think about how traditions merge within a family—even among those of the same ethnic background, holiday traditions can vary wildly. (Very thankful I did not marry into a family that runs 5ks on holidays, personally. It might’ve been a dealbreaker.) This book shows us how new and blended traditions arise, which might then later lead to a discussion of things deeper than cultural ritual. It’s a book that could lead to important and necessary conversations.