Erica Montgomery Bücher

Charlotte and her mom learn the excitement and challenges of opening a community craft center. When unexpected troubles cause them to close, the community rallies around them to reopen.When creating, it doesn’t have to be perfect.It doesn’t have to be clean, and it doesn’t have to make sense. It just has to be YOU!Crafting affects children in a positive way.“Most of what you will create is for your enrichment or is a stepping stone to better, more insightful work. Maybe once or twice in a lifetime, you will be recognized with the kudos of the public, so in the meantime, create.—Don Hahn

For eighteen years, the author saw the tree in her backyard as overwhelming because of its size. One evening as she was looking out the bedroom window, she started thinking about all the things she would not miss about this tree. As she thought about the falling branches and the leaves she had to clean up, she remembered that because of the strong branches, her children had the firmest sticks to go bug hunting with. Because of the massive leaf drop, their yard had the biggest leaf pile to jump in. She was also reminded of the squirrels, the Cardinal and Blue Jays and other birds who often visited this tree. There were so many activities in and around that tree. Now, she finds it hard to see that Ugly Tree standing in her backyard as anything but beautiful-and that there is purpose in each season. Ugly Tree is written through the eyes of an adult and illustrated with the simplicity of childhood play. The beautiful illustrations by Paula S. Wallace bring a whimsical touch and a visual feast.