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A tree’s Christmas tale

Ashleigh Kassock | For the Catholic Herald

“The Acorn,” a children’s Christmas tale by Catherine Antunes, was released by Orange Hat publishing last month. REGINA PELRINE | COURTESY

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This Christmas, gather the children around and enjoy a touching
story about a pine cone and his acorn friend in the book “The Acorn” by
Catherine Antunes.

This is the first story for Antunes, a graduate from Christendom
College in Front Royal and nurse with a knack for storytelling. The tale took
root last fall after hearing someone complain about the bittersweetness of
cutting down a Christmas tree.

She told her Christmas tale of friendship and gratitude to her
young cousins who were so taken by the story they started drawing pictures of
her characters. The oldest was determined to help her publish it.

“It was really inspiring to see them take a story I created and
make something of their own,” said Antunes. “When a 10-year-old offers you
money to help publish your story, it’s time to be an adult and try and get it
published yourself.”

She submitted her story to Orange Hat publishing in Wisconsin in
July. To her delight, it was accepted and she began working with her sister
Marie Antunes to bring the story to life through watercolor illustrations. One
of her favorite illustrations is a two-page spread of a snow-covered wood and a
sky bursting with stars. As Pine Cone is carried across a meadow, he marvels at
the sky.  “Now he was overcome by the
beauty of the clear night sky. The stars winked their hello. He knew them all.
They had watched him grow from afar.”

The book was released Nov. 12. 

“It turned out to be a great family effort,” said Antunes. “A lot
of work, but a lot of love, too. It was quite encouraging.”

She was able to hold her book for the first time on Thanksgiving
while visiting her sister Mary Grace in New York.

“It was edifying that I made something into a book. And it was
humbling,” said Antunes, who immediately gave it to her 9-year-old niece to
read. 

She wants children who read the book to realize that although
some changes can look like the end, they can also be the beginning of something
more wonderful than they could ever imagine. She hopes her story helps children
to value friendship and learn to be grateful for gifts as small as an acorn.

The book is for ages 6 to 9 and is available at Barnes and Noble
and Amazon.com.

Kassock is a freelancer from Fredericksburg.

 

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