The Christmas Cactus

"But no one EVER picks a cactus," he'd sigh.
"Too prickly. Too pokey. They pass us right by."

Carl the cactus has one very big Christmas wish.
He wants to be a Christmas tree.
He dreams of twinkling lights, shiny ornaments, a star on top, and presents piled around his toes. There's just one problem:
Nobody picks a cactus for Christmas.

Then, on Christmas Eve, a very rushed Mr. Pine arrives without his glasses. One squint, one terrible mistake, and suddenly Carl is strapped to the roof of a car and heading home with a family expecting a perfectly normal Christmas tree.

What follows is a wonderfully silly Christmas adventure involving decorations, prickly branches, one VERY determined cat... and a visit from Santa himself.

But somewhere between the tangled lights and Christmas chaos, Carl begins to discover that being chosen doesn't mean pretending to be something you're not.

The Christmas Cactus is a funny, beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book about big dreams, being yourself, and finding a place where you truly belong.

Perfect for children ages 2-7, it's a festive choice for:

• Christmas Eve and December bedtimes

• Holiday storytime at home or in the classroom

• Kids who love silly stories and funny characters

• Conversations about belonging, acceptance, and being yourself

• Christmas gifts and new family traditions

A warm, funny Christmas story with plenty of heart - and proof that sometimes the perfect Christmas tree isn't a tree at all.