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The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed Paperback – October 23, 2020

by Alayne Kay Christian (Author), Polina Gortman (Illustrator)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
See all formats and editions
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“A heartwarming holiday tale that proves even the littlest things can make a big difference.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The fine message about holiday spirit makes for a perfect read for parents seeking stories that encourage kids to feel empowered to begin changes that cross age and economic barriers. The Weed That Woke Christmas is a lovely, positive, much-needed story for modern times.” —D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

This heartwarming and inspiring book proves that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference and transform apathy and oblivion into awareness, unity, community, kindness, and hope. Partly truth and partly fiction, it is based on the moving true story of how a weed on a Toledo street corner helped spread the giving spirit far beyond its traffic island home. All Weed wants is to be seen, but people are in too much of a hurry to notice each other, let alone Weed. Weed watches, wishes, and waits until finally someone does see it. But Weed discovers that there is something far bigger and more important than a little weed being noticed.

“This sweet story is accompanied by lush illustrations by Gortman, who portrays Toledo’s citizens as diverse. The author manages to convey the importance of charity and community without making the tale mawkish or trite. She closes the text with the real story of the Christmas Weed and the hope that the holiday magic will continue.” —Kirkus Reviews

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  1. Print length
    39 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 23, 2020
  4. Dimensions
    8.25 x 0.1 x 10.75 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0981493823
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0981493824
  7. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Whale Press (October 23, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 39 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0981493823
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0981493824
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.1 x 10.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Polina Gortman

    Polina Gortman

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Polina Gortman is a children’s book illustrator, based near Seattle, WA. Her style is an amalgam of watercolor, ink and colored pencil, both traditional and digital. In her free time Polina enjoys picking apart stalagmites of picture books that grow in random locations at her house, playing board games with her family and exploring evergreen trails of Pacific Northwest.

    You can find fun printables, coloring pages and more at gortmanillustration.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. Alayne Kay Christian

    Alayne Kay Christian

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Alayne Kay Christian is an award-winning children’s book author and the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course Art of Arc. She is the former acquisitions editor and art director for Blue Whale Press. Her published works include the Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy chapter book series: Book 1--TRYING TO MAKE IT RAIN and Book 2—COWBOY TROUBLE. Her picture books include:

    BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA

    AN OLD MAN AND HIS PENGUIN: HOW DINDIM MADE JOÃO PEREIRA DE SOUZA AN HONORARY PENGUIN

    THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS: THE MOSTLY TRUE TALE OF THE TOLEDO CHRISTMAS WEED.

    Her fourth picture book, FAITH BENEATH THE BRIDGE is planned for release in the spring of 2022.

    Alayne is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She has studied picture book and chapter book writing under some of the top names in children's literature. Alayne teaches a picture book writing course Art of Arc: How to Analyze Your Picture Book Manuscript (deepen your understanding of picture books written with a classic arc). In addition, she shares her knowledge with writers through free and affordable webinars at Writing for Children Webinars. She has been a picture book and chapter book critique professional since 2014, and she worked as a 12 X 12 critique ninja for three years. Alayne is available for school visits and speaking engagements.

    Born in the Rockies, raised in Chicago, and now a true-blue Texan, Alayne’s writing and book designs share her creative spirit and the kinship to nature and humanity that reside within her heart.

    Find Alayne's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY6yndWtpXwX6CIRoFi7X4g

    To learn more about Alayne and her course visit http://www.alaynekaychristianauthor.com/

    Her blog http://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/

    For activities to do with your long-distance grandchildren visit http://www.butterflykissesgrandparents.com/Look-Inside.html

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
24 global ratings
A beautiful tale of kindness, love, unity and community. Based on true story Toledo Christmas Weed.
5 Stars
A beautiful tale of kindness, love, unity and community. Based on true story Toledo Christmas Weed.
I am the author of this book. I feel compelled to comment because my reputation is being attacked with reviews saying my lovely book that I poured my heart and soul into is a bad copy of another book. This is absolutely untrue. But Amazon won't remove these lies. I have never seen or read the other book. But, all you have to do is use Amazon's "look inside" to see that these two books are nothing alike. And I mean nothing! This is based on a true story, so there is bound to be more than one book about it. I can't speak for the other book, but my book (enhanced by Polina Gortman's fabulous art) is a beautiful story that is full of hope, love, unity, kindness, and community. It's really a shame that the story's message didn't get through to those who feel the need to try to harm a hardworking, honest and giving author to benefit another author or make themselves feel good. This saddens me. That is not how things work in my writing community or world. Thank you for reading. And a big thank you to those who have given honest reviews. Alayne Kay Christian If you would like to learn more about my book search for the book trailer.
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Top reviews from the United States

Alayne Kay Christian - Author of The Weed That Woke Christmas; An Old Man and His Penguin; Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa; and the Sienna the Cowgirl Fairy chapter book series.
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful tale of kindness, love, unity and community. Based on true story Toledo Christmas Weed.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
I am the author of this book. I feel compelled to comment because my reputation is being attacked with reviews saying my lovely book that I poured my heart and soul into is a bad copy of another book. This is absolutely untrue. But Amazon won't remove these lies. I have never seen or read the other book. But, all you have to do is use Amazon's "look inside" to see that these two books are nothing alike. And I mean nothing! This is based on a true story, so there is bound to be more than one book about it. I can't speak for the other book, but my book (enhanced by Polina Gortman's fabulous art) is a beautiful story that is full of hope, love, unity, kindness, and community. It's really a shame that the story's message didn't get through to those who feel the need to try to harm a hardworking, honest and giving author to benefit another author or make themselves feel good. This saddens me. That is not how things work in my writing community or world. Thank you for reading. And a big thank you to those who have given honest reviews. Alayne Kay Christian If you would like to learn more about my book search for the book trailer.
Customer image
Alayne Kay Christian - Author of The Weed That Woke Christmas; An Old Man and His Penguin; Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa; and the Sienna the Cowgirl Fairy chapter book series.
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful tale of kindness, love, unity and community. Based on true story Toledo Christmas Weed.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2022
I am the author of this book. I feel compelled to comment because my reputation is being attacked with reviews saying my lovely book that I poured my heart and soul into is a bad copy of another book. This is absolutely untrue. But Amazon won't remove these lies. I have never seen or read the other book. But, all you have to do is use Amazon's "look inside" to see that these two books are nothing alike. And I mean nothing! This is based on a true story, so there is bound to be more than one book about it. I can't speak for the other book, but my book (enhanced by Polina Gortman's fabulous art) is a beautiful story that is full of hope, love, unity, kindness, and community. It's really a shame that the story's message didn't get through to those who feel the need to try to harm a hardworking, honest and giving author to benefit another author or make themselves feel good. This saddens me. That is not how things work in my writing community or world. Thank you for reading. And a big thank you to those who have given honest reviews. Alayne Kay Christian If you would like to learn more about my book search for the book trailer.
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Patti Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars A PERFECT STORY OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS!
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020
Verified Purchase
What a wonderful tale of the true meaning of Christmas! The spirit of the holiday is on each page in both picture and story, as Toledo comes to understand that it isn't the size or kind of tree or the price of the gifts beneath it, but the way we can bless others when we act selflessly. I'm so glad I learned the story of THE WEED THE WOKE CHRISTMAS! I can't wait to share it as a welcome addition to any Christmas story collection.
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Beth B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers need this book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read this beautiful picture book to my niece, and we were captivated. We loved the way the words flowed, the fact that it was based on a true story, and the charming illustrations! I think teachers would enjoy using this book to demonstrate to students how to write with vivid verbs, while (bonus!) telling them a story about the power of kindness.
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Kat
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story . Beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
Since I live in Toledo this is a wonderful little book. Christmas weed was very popular period what a beautiful little story
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Wendy Horger
1.0 out of 5 stars This book sucks
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Horrible! copycat of the book by a different author
One person found this helpful
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Carrie Finison
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful addition to any collection of Christmas stories!
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2020
This is an absolutely heartwarming Christmas story, based on the true story of a weed on a traffic island in Toledo, Ohio. The weed is just a weed, unnoticed and unloved, until a little girl puts some Christmas decorations on it. More people add to it, and start leaving gifts under the weed. Soon the entire community rallies together, noticing not only the humble weed but each other - especially those who need a little help during the holiday season. The lovely, lyrical text captures the emotions of the season and the community coming together perfectly, without feeling saccharine or preachy, and the artwork complements the text beautifully as we get to know the community members and see the many ways in which they help each other - even when the holiday season is over and the weed is gone. This is a great addition to any collection of Christmas stories.
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Vivian Kirkfield
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE A STORY THAT INSPIRES US TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE AND ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY BUILDING!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2020
The Weed That Woke Christmas! The title grabbed me right away and I wanted to find out what it was all about. WOW! This wonderful picture book is based on a true event that brought together the people in a city...we definitely need more of that these days.
The story pacing is excellent and I love how the author shows us the drama from the POV of the little weed/tree. Plus the illustrations are lovely, inviting the reader to turn each page to discover what the next page will reveal. A perfect book for the holidays...or any days!
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Laura M. Gangnier
1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good storyline
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020
Did not enjoy
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