The Story Behind The Christmas Tree Stories

The stories of the “Little Christmas Trees” began as a way to put my first two granddaughters, Kristina and Sarah Fisher, to bed.  Instead of reading stories to them, I would make them up.

“The Little Blue Christmas Tree” is the first in a series of stories told over the years to all my grandchildren.  

Their themes mirror the hopes, the struggles of children, and their triumphs over adversity.  They reflect sacred values that are part of any human culture.  They attempt to speak to family, relationships, self-confidence and love.

After the Little Blue Christmas Tree©, the children challenged me.  They would name a color, and that night in the magic of the darkness of their room, a story about a tree with that color would emerge from this grandfather’s mind. 

“Poppees, tell us about a Little Green Christmas Tree©, no a Little Red Christmas Tree©, no I want a Little Black Christmas Tree Story©.  Can you do a Polka Dot Christmas Tree©?”  Somehow, stories matching their colors always emerged from our imaginations. 

Soon grandsons were born.  Joseph and Nicholas Fisher wanted a Karate Christmas Tree© or from Anthony and Joshua Coyle, grandsons in Denver, The Little Snow Christmas Tree©.  

Midori Coyle and Gabriella Mancusi gave me the idea for the Little Bear’s Christmas© Tree©. Justin and Joey Mancusi and Liam Coyle gave me impetus for the Little Cotton Boll Christmas Tree© and the Upside Down Christmas Tree©

My grandchildren kept these stories alive.  If I told a story differently the next night or the next year, they would remind me of the “real story”.  They kept me on track and kept me honest. 

Therefore, in a real way these stories belong to them.  Their enthusiasm and their memories kept the stories alive.  As each of my three children had children, new stories were born too.

From my own real life came the true, if modified stories of my Lithuanian uncles and their Upside Down Christmas Tree©” and The Italian Christmas Tree©.”

In the beginning, all the stories would end with “… and if you saw that tree you would say to yourself, that is the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen.”

“And you know what?” I would ask the children.

My granddaughter, Sarah, would always ask “What?”

I’d reply, “You’d be right”.

That is why all the stories end the same.  I wanted closure.  I wanted to give the impression that each tree and each child was special no matter its flaws, condition, or origin.

Now, neighbors’ and friends’ children come for our annual Christmas Tree Story party.  I have told these stories to children in schools and YMCAs.  Parents seem to delight as much as their offspring.  It seems they become childlike again and remember past Christmases filled with love, hope and expectation.

Because I am Christian, these are Christian stories. They are, after all, “Christmas Tree Stories”.  They reflect my life and experiences.  Some may say they are not Christian enough.  They are designed to expose children to wonderful values, not teach scripture.  

However, I have attempted to respect other cultures.  In The Little Tan Christmas Tree© the family is in conflict.  The Indian grandfather lives outside the main house in a tent made from hide.  He longs for the “old ways, the ways of our people” before Christianity came to America.  The grandfather’s struggle with his family, their religious differences, and the impact on his grandson ends with mutual respect and love.

The Little Cotton Boll Christmas Tree© was inspired by a church in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  The balcony had a special entrance for slaves to use.

In another story, a boy laments the fact that there are no trees in the far North of Alaska where his family lives as a minority in the native culture.  To his surprise The Little Ice Christmas Tree© constructed by the village exposes him to the “most beautiful tree he has ever seen.”

Some of the stories are set in mythical European villages, imaginary Hawaiian Islands, a modern Minnesota farm house, an orange grove in Florida, or a nineteenth century whaling village.

I have only visited these places in my mind and imagination.  I apologize in advance for the errors and inconsistencies that you may find in the stories. 

With the influence of two special teachers in my life, my wife, Stella Mancusi, and my daughter, Jeanne Mancusi Coyle, they are also intended to develop emotional intelligence and critical thinking.  The vocabulary reflects adult usage.  

The stories reflect issues children (and adults) face.  Am I too small?  When is it all right to tell a lie?  How do you face rejection?  Who are your true friends?  What is the meaning of hope?  What is the importance of other cultures?  How do you deal with disappointment?  Will mother and father always forgive you?  Why are generosity and sharing important?  

All have a happy conclusion, though not necessarily the expected ending.

I have always tried to teach lessons through my talks and stories.  You may use the story of “The Little Blue Christmas Tree©” to ask some questions of children.  

Some possible questions are:

How does it feel to be “too small’ or feel “I am not smart enough ”?

Which is stronger, magic or love?

Which is more important, friendship or fame?

Why was the Squirrel afraid of the Owl?

Do some people look or sound mean but they really are nice?

What would you say to a real “Blue Forest Fairy Princess©?”

What is the real meaning of Christmas?

Why should we help others?

Everyone accepted Little Blue Christmas Tree just the way she is.  Why did she not accept herself?

The list of the Christmas tree stories in the order I remember them follows below:

The Little Blue Christmas Tree©

The Little Green Christmas Tree©

The Little Red Christmas Tree©

The Little Golden Christmas Tree©

The Little Orange Christmas Tree©

The Little Brown Christmas Tree©

The Little Black Christmas Tree©

The Little Pink Christmas Tree©

The Little Polka Dot Christmas Tree©

The Little Purple Christmas Tree©

The Little Plain Christmas Tree©

The Little Tan Christmas Tree©

The Little Karate Christmas Tree©

The Little Ice Christmas Tree©

The Little Snow Christmas Tree©

The Little Upside Down Christmas Tree©

The Little Italian Christmas Tree©

The Little Bear’s Christmas Tree©

The Cotton Boll Christmas Tree©

The Rainbow Christmas Tree©

A list of other stories by Dr. Joseph Mancusi follows:

The Three Little Blue Birds and the Rainbow©

The Grump Sisters and the Butterfly Fairy©

The Too, Too Big Dog©