The Christmas Pine: the magical tale for Christmas by Julia Donaldson – now in a stunning paperback edition
£6.60£7.60 (-13%)
A magical picture book for Christmas, written in perfect, heartfelt rhyme by Julia Donaldson, bestselling creator of Zog and Superworm.
“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
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 Sandøy’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 seventy 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.
Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children’s books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children’s writer in Britain today.
Many of Julia Donaldson’s beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas.
Superworm animation will premiere on BBC Christmas 2021
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Alison Green Books, 1st edition (27 Oct. 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 32 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0702318000 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0702318009 |
| Reading age | 2 – 6 years, from customers |
| Dimensions | 22 x 0.4 x 28.1 cm |
by catbrooks
A beautiful Christmas book which tells a lovely story. Not as memorable as most Julia Donaldson ones but still a well read book.
by G. Don Fielder
This is a Christmas present for a 5 year old it seems very basic not a whole lot of story still it’s probably not meant for me
by Nic
The story is a little short. It’s the tale of a young pine tree which becomes Norway’s annual Christmas gift to the British people. If you simply read straight through by yourself, it lasts just two or three minutes . However, reading to a child, there’s the opportunity to discuss the events of the story and talk together about the beautiful illustrations. It’s actually quite a tear-jerker too.
by W
Best Christmas book after ‘Twas the night before Christmas.
by CobWeb
From the dust-jacket front flap (image below refers):
???? ‘Deep in a snowy forest stands a little pine tree with a special destiny: when it grows up, it’s going to be a famous Christmas tree!
Julia Donaldson’s heartfelt rhyme follows the tree’s journey from the frozen woods to the sparkling city square…’????
Based on a true story, the talented JULIA DONALDSON originally wrote ‘The Christmas Pine’ to celebrate the 2020 Christmas tree, the poem performed by schoolchildren and displayed in Trafalgar Square.
Accompanying the rhyme is, to my eye, the most amazing atmospheric illustrations from Norwegian illustrator, VICTORIA SANDØY, ‘who lives in Oslo, not far from the forest where the Christmas pines grow’.
The current stock images above give an indication of the content to see if it is the style for you and yours…and I am sure the ‘LOOK INSIDE’ facility will be along in the near future.
ooOoo
One for the forever shelf, IMO, it is a beautifully produced book with matching dust-jacket, the Christmas tree tips & baubles + the titling in a shiny gold colouring that follows through to the spine, all nonchalantly shimmering in the change of light.
The quality hardback measures roughly 22.5 cm x 27.75 cm, and opens to 32 matte finish pages, of which the poem runs across 30, in double-page spread format, those gorgeous illustrations offering lots to talk about on every turn.
The font is a good size so as not to dominate the pictures.
The very last page details the reasons behind the publication (image below refers).
[15 images attached ©Julia Donaldson/2020, Victoria Sandøy & Alison Green Books/2021]
by CobWeb
Beautiful story and illustrations
by GeordieGirl
Was a bit sad for a Christmas story, even with the ending. My children couldn’t get over it dying after it was brought to life!
by Chris d.
So disappointed by this book. Pre-ordered after listening to the hype but it appears to be a lesser version of The Tree That’s Meant To Be. The hardback book is nice, it has a nice dust jacket, those are some positives. Unfortunately there are lots of pages with just one sentence on them so lots of page turning for not much story. The graphics are also disappointing, some pages seem really embellished and are great with lots to look at and talk about with the little ones, then there are others where it seems they’ve just not bothered very much, so with not much writing on a page and not many good pictures……
The search for the 2021 Christmas book for our house continues 🙁