The Christmas Pine, a beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book, tells the true story of the Christmas tree that stands in Trafalgar Square.
The Story: A small tree grows in a wood. When it’s tall enough it’s cut down and transported by ship to the UK. It’s put up in the middle of a busy London square where it’s decorated and enjoys listening to children who stand around it to sing. The tree also welcomes in the new year and hopes that the children who have visited it will grow and shine just like it does.
Julia Donaldson originally wrote the poem, The Christmas Pine, in 2020 to welcome the tree to London. Norwegian foresters spend months, sometimes years, cultivating the best tree that they can to send to London as a thank you for the UK’s support during World War II. They call the tree the Queen of the Forest and once it’s tall enough a special ceremony is held before it makes the long journey.
The simple rhyming text is complemented by beautiful earthy and atmospheric illustrations which tell so much of the story. It’s not mentioned in the text that the tree makes its home in Trafalgar Square although references to lions and Nelson make it obvious to a reader who knows London. We particularly love the diversity in the scenes showing the children singing and love the way that even the dog joins in!
This beautifully illustrated story can be used in the classroom to introduce the origins and history of the tree that stands in Trafalgar Square, there is a short history in the back of the book. As London isn’t mentioned in the text it would also be interesting to ask children if they know which city the tree is delivered to.
Age Range: 3 +
Author: Julia Donaldson / Illustrator: Victoria Sandoy
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