Gloria Houston’s The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney, was published in 1988, and has become a seasonal classic - a touching and joyful story about courage and the power of family.

The story is set in 1918. The Armistice had been declared, but still there was no sign of a small girl’s father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town.

The previous spring Ruthie had accompanied her father to a rocky cliff where he marked a tree with a red ribbon, so she and her mother set out to find it again, and haul it home. Overnight their trip becomes the basis of a new town legend. Ruthie, chosen for the role of the heavenly angel in the church Christmas play, finds herself outfitted in a made-over wedding dress of the finest silk - another “miracle” wrought by her hardworking mother.

Adaped from Publishers Weekly / Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gloria Houston was born and raised in the Ingalls community, just outside of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Her parents were the owners of a country store for over 50 years, and she often cites her experiences at the store as inspiration for her writing.

In 2003, Dr. Houston served as grand marshal of Spruce Pine’s Christmas parade, which took its theme from her book. “Why don’t you make Spruce Pine and Mitchell County the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree?” asked Houston. “I was joking. I had no idea they would do it.”

Dr. Houston holds a BA from Appalachian State University, and she received her MA and PhD from the University of South Florida - Tampa, where she was also appointed author-in-residence. She taught students of all ages for over fifteen years, and has also established more than fifty young authors conferences nationwide.