Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry is a delightfully predictable tale of a tree that is too tall. Each time the top is snipped off, it goes to someone else who has the same problem, and so on. The mouse gets the very last tree top. The story is done in rhyme, always a delight to the ears of children.
Robert Barry wrote and illustrated the book in 1963. The fact that it is still popular certainly speaks volumes. Yes, this Christmas book is a classic. I read it to my preschool class every year.
Fast forward to 2025.
Robert Barry passed away in 2012. His son, John, found folders in the back of a dusty, old, overstuffed, forgotten filing cabinet. They contained draft manuscripts and sketches for a second Mr. Willowby story that had never been published.
Wow! Big wow!
Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas is a delightful story! The same characters are in the book. They need to help Mr. Willowby get his big tree. Their adventure to do so keeps the reader captivated, and the ending is quite a surprise.
The back of the book has a message written by John about his discovery of the manuscript and drawings by his father. I can only imagine his shock in discovering such a treasure.
I learned that the original book was featured on Captain Kangaroo in the 60’s. In 1995 it was adapted for a Muppets holiday television special. This follow-up story was written in the 60’s. In the words of John upon his discovery,
“Pleased by the positive response to Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, in the 1960’s my father wrote a follow-up story featuring Mr. Willowby, which he hoped to publish someday. Other projects got in the way, and the story — together with his original sketches — disappeared into an overstuffed file cabinet. I had no idea that the manuscript for Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas existed, and I was surprised and excited to discover it lost in a stack of old story ideas and sketches. I am sure my father would be delighted to know that this long-lost holiday tale featuring Mr. Willowby and his animal friends is finally being shared with new generations of readers. I hope you enjoy it.” ~John Barry~
Thank goodness John found this treasure. I love this new book!
Jennie
P.S. Stayed tuned for my favorite Christmas books.
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a wonderful find! I think the original is one that we (older elementary students) read to the youngest elementary school students. That was something we did when I was in 5th and 6th grade (we read to 1st and 2nd grade classrooms).
I love that older students read to the younger ones. I’m glad you remember the book, Dan! Can you imagine what it must have been like for his son to find the manuscript and drawings?
That had to be a remarkable moment, Jennie.
The older students also were assigned to write stories for the younger ones. The 5th and 6th grade teachers picked certain stories and had the students tell them to the 1st and 2nd graders. I had a story chosen once. I wish I still had a copy.
What a wonderful experience for both the older kids and the younger kids. So, it didn’t end with reading, it expanded into writing stories. Wow! I wish you had a copy of your chosen story, too.
Thank you so much for the great recommendations, Jennie! I’ll pass them on to friends in the Czech Republic right away, as the children there are very interested in learning English. Here, learning how to garden is more popular these days. ;-( Best regards, Michael
Thank you, Michael! The books are really wonderful. I think the Czech children will love them. Rhyming makes the reading easier.
What a find! Love the Captain Kangaroo mention! Loved that show. Ha ha
Indeed it was a great find! I’m glad someone else remembers and loved Captain Kangaroo!
I don’t remember much of the show … but I remember loving it! 🤣🤣🤣😎
Me, too!
That’s such a cool happenstance!
It really was!
That is amazing. Equally amazing he dug through an overstuffed cabinet and uncovered it.
Yes, and yes!!
Wow, what an amazing story, Jennie
Thank you, Robbie. I’m still reeling over his son finding the manuscript. And, the book is wonderful!
It is amazing
Yes!
I love the story behind this, and that his son discovers the hidden treasure tucked away and shared it with the world. and oh, the captain kangaroo connection!
Yes! I was over the moon when I discovered this story, not to mention the book is wonderful. I can’t imagine how incredible it must have been for his son to find the manuscript. And Captain Kangaroo! I’m glad I’m not the only one who remembers and loved that show.
He found a real treasure. Small wonder you are excited for the new book, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
He did, Pete. You knew I would be excited!
What treasures these finds are!
Yes!
What a great find! Thank you for the book recommendations. I look forward to them each year.
It was definitely a great find! I’m always happy to give you book recommendations. Best to you, Deborah.
Jennie, Mrs. B loves all things Muppets so I have to see if she saw that TV special. These books sound great, and to be sure it is a great story how the second book even managed to come to life. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas world sounds like one I’d enjoy reading myself, and I bet any child would love reading or having it read as well.
Bruce, I want to know if she saw that Muppets TV special. Really! I did not. The books are really good. You make a good point – when adults enjoy reading a book, that’s the sign of a great children’s book. They’re not just for children. You would love this/these books. I’m sure the public library has them.
What a great find, Jennie. Thanks for sharing this heart warming story.
It was a great find for his son. I can’t imagine how overwhelming and exciting it must have been for him, and the book is wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, John.
😊
What a wonderful legacy Robert left for the children of the world! The fact that his son got it published makes it even more special.
Well said, Liz! You are so right. I think the icing on the cake is that the book is just as good as the original.
Even better!
😀
What a fabulous story! Imagine having the two books published more than 60 years apart.
I am still reeling over that fact, Pete. It really is a fabulous story. And, the new book is just as good as the old book. It doesn’t get any better than that.
What a fabulous find!! I’m sure he is pleased that his son has published it at long last.
Yes! I’m sure he is pleased, from above. It’s been over 60 years from the first book to the next one. Thank you, Darlene.
Wow, what a great find!
Yes, indeed!
Fantastic and what a great find by his son. So nice of the son to publish his father’s book for the children Jennie. Thanks.
Yes, all the way around! Thank you, Kamal.
How lovely that his son found the manuscript and got it published! Yes, children love words that rhyme.
Yes, and yes!
Thank you for sharing, Jennie! I learned something new today.
I’m so glad! You are welcome.
You are always welcome Jennie ❤️❤️😊
Thank you, Kamal!
You are always welcome Jennie ❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
Hi Jennie, What a wonderful post and an extraordinary find!
Thank you, Charles. Yes, a remarkable find.
It’s always nice when stories thought lost get rediscovered. I know I’ve had a few in my own lifetime.
Yes, it is! I’m glad you have found lost stories.
Thanks.
You’re welcome.
❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏