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White House embraces local author’s Christmas book

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Contributed by: TwoSonsPress on 12/7/2005

Children's Museum, St. Nicks to host book readings, signings

If you are an author and the First Lady has her secretary phone you to obtain an autographed copy of your most recent book, what do you do? If you are local award-winning children’s author Claudia Cangilla McAdam, in a heartbeat you say, “Absolutely!”

Her family-oriented book, The Christmas Tree Cried, is the story of the White House Christmas tree. “Not only did Mrs. Bush request an autographed copy for her personal collection, she asked for one that she could donate to the library at a D.C. children’s hospital,” McAdam said. “I was honored.”

In a personal thank you note to McAdam, the First Lady wrote: "I am delighted to have the inscribed copy for my office and another to present to the Children's Hospital Center library. I appreciate your generosity and admire you for writing for children."

McAdam has won awards from Highlights for Children magazine for both her fiction and her nonfiction. “The first part of The Christmas Tree Cried is a story in narrative verse about a giant evergreen that wants nothing more than to be a family’s Christmas tree,” she said.

From lofty hopes and dreams to struggles with physical differences, uncertainty, and rejection, the tree perseveres through many long and lonesome winters until it begins an adventurous journey to the White House.

“While the first part of the book is a fictional tale, the second section is pure nonfiction, providing the story-behind-the-story about how the White House Blue Room tree is really chosen each year,” she said.

The book also includes a retelling of the legend of St. Boniface and the first Christmas tree and a history of Christmas trees in the White House, dating back to the 1800s.

Nostalgic illustrations by Anna-Maria Crum express the realm of emotions experienced by the personified tree as it struggles with anxiety and fear but clings to faith. “Children enjoy searching for a white dove found in each illustration, representing the constant presence of God—in good times and bad, during suffering, and at times of joy,” McAdam said.

The White House Gift Shop carries The Christmas Tree Cried, and McAdam is scheduled for book signings there this season. In addition, she’s been invited to tour the holiday-decorated White House during her visit to Washington.

Upon her return from the White House, McAdam will be presenting her book locally at two very special events. On Saturday, December 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., she will be autographing copies at St. Nicks in Park Meadows Mall and then be reading the work to children at the mall’s Santa’s Village at 1:30 p.m.

On Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m., McAdam will be featured in the theater at the Denver Children’s Museum for a multi-media presentation on the big screen followed by a book signing.

“This is a great chance for families to experience the Christmas season together in a meaningful way,” McAdam said. “I’m happy to be able to share this book with my Colorado friends and neighbors.”

For more information about these events and the book, visit www.TwoSonsPress.com or phone 303-346-3003.

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Two Sons Press

Highlands Ranch , CO

Two Sons Press has posted 120 stories and 0 comments since joining on 11/15/2005. Two Sons Press 's average story rating is 4.67.

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