The Christmas Pine

The Christmas Pine

By Author / Illustrator

Julia Donaldson, illus Victoria Sandy

Genre

Picture Books

Age range(s)

3+

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9780702318009

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

27-10-2022

Synopsis

A magical picture book for Christmas, written in perfect, heartfelt rhyme by Julia Donaldson, bestselling creator of Zog and Superworm.


Deep in a snowy wood stands a little pine tree with a special destiny: when it grows up, it's going to be the famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square! This is the perfect picture book to snuggle up with and share at Christmas. Gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations whisk you from frozen forests to the sparkling city square in a beautiful, moving story of festivity and hope. Julia Donaldson's perfect rhyme is a joy to read aloud. This is a classic to treasure for generations. Victoria Sandoy's exquisite, atmospheric illustrations are full of gorgeous details to point out and share. A paragraph on the final page of the book explains the true story behind the tree.


The Christmas Pine is based on a true story. It celebrates a special tradition that stretches back over 70 years. Every year, the Mayor of Oslo in Norway presents the British people with a spectacular Christmas tree. The tree is a symbol of peace and friendship, and a thank you for the UK's support during World War II. Each year, the UK Poetry Society asks a poet to write a poem to welcome the tree. Julia Donaldson originally wrote The Christmas Pine to celebrate the 2020 Christmas tree. The poem was performed by London schoolchildren, and displayed in Trafalgar Square.


"Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the power of children and song." Good Housekeeping.

Reviews

Kyle

The Christmas Pine is a magical festive story, based on true events, from the much-loved and critically acclaimed author, Julia Donaldson.


Revealing and explaining the annual tradition of the UK receiving a Christmas pine from the Mayor of Oslo, the reader is able to tag along and follow the journey the chosen tree takes from seedling to pride of London. Despite its short nature, this book still flows effortlessly from page to page - as you would expect from Julia Donaldson - and is accompanied by some gorgeous illustrations from the very talented Victoria Sandoy.


The reader becomes instantly invested in the story through the use of the first person and the personification of the spruce tree. At first, you feel as if the tree is simply on its way to a generic, maybe fictional, home or display but you soon realise that it is indeed heading towards London thanks to the reference to Nelson's column and other landmarks.


The rhyming style is another great attribute to this text and it is easy to see the source of the story is indeed a poem Julia wrote in 2020. It is not until the end page of the book that you learn the truth behind the poem and once I learnt of this 70 year old tradition, I came to appreciate this book even more. This text will be a frequent and regular festive read for many years to come.


Picture book / Reviewed by Kyle Matravers, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

 

Other titles