The Christmas Tree Ship

by Carol Crane, Chris Ellison (Illustrator)

With the scrumptious smell of Grandma's ginger cookies surrounding them, the cousins would gather around Grandpa as he sat close to the crackling fire in his "remembering rocker." Grandpa Axel's story of Captain Herman Schuenemann, known to many as Captain Santa, was our favorite.

In November of 1912 the Great Lakes schooner Rouse Simmons set off from a small town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula with its traditional load of trees, bound for Chicago. The captain would sell the trees for 50 cents or $1.00 and even gave many away to needy families. The ship had been affectionately nicknamed the "Christmas Tree Ship." These trees would be sold, as many had been throughout the years, at the docks in Chicago.

Author Carol Crane recalls her grandfather telling of the storm that took the shipmen's lives, their festive cargo, and the schooner down to its final watery resting place. True to the newspaper accounts of the day, Carol eloquently includes in her story how Captain Schuenemann's wife, ever dedicated to her husband's memory, carried on his tradition of delivering Christmas trees.

Using oils and acrylics, Chris Ellison captures the humanity and emotion of this timeless tale.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2011

Reviews

[Suzy Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older children will love this story even though it is sad. It is a traditional story with a deep sense of History, and it is nostalgic. I feel that the book would benefit from a Glossary at the end with vocabulary, and perhaps some of the historical facts could be added to the pages at the bottom of each page of the book so that children can explore things in more depth. I loved the atmosphere the storyteller created, and the illustrator brought the mood of a family passing down the story in the oral tradition to perfection. I loved the sepia-toned illustrations of the ship in the storm, and the contrast with the cosy home fire, and the children gathering round the Christmas tree.

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our very favorite Christmas books that we read every year. Wonderful story!

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this story! The pictures are beautiful and the story Grandpa tells is actual history! There really was a Christmas tree ship that carried Christmas trees to Chicago.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite! Chicago area parents, this is a great bit of local history to share with your kidlets

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in my home state, I thoroughly enjoyed this historical account of how trees were brought down from our U.P. to Chicago to sell at the Christmas market.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning artwork! I love this story.

[Jan Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are nice. I have heard of this shipwreck while visiting the great lakes.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fictional story built around a very real ship captain and his wish to bring a little more Christmas to Chicago; and his Great Lakes schooner, Rouse Simmons, with which he transported thousands of trees.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, some in color, some black and white. If you can find Lee Murdock music at the library, on line, look for his song The Christmas Ship. It’s lovely. He is a singer of Great Lakes songs.

[Aleks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story because I really like Michigan and I also have a great great grandpa named Axel who came from Sweden.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel very lucky to have found this book; once again a tale about the Great Lakes...Lake Michigan in particular. This is about Grandpa Axel, Grandma Hannah, two brothers and Grandpa's job as a lighthouse keeper. Grandpa explained that"Lake Michigan is like a child with many moods. Sometimes the mood is very, ver good, and sometimes it's very, very bad." Grandpa told many stories from Sweden, where he was originally from, and began carving off an ornament while he spoke.

The story this year was about Captain Santa and his schooner Rouse Simmons, taking Christmas trees to Chicago, from Northern Michigan.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful Christmas-y historical fiction picture book ❤️ the main character's grandfather tells the children in the family a story of a ship that carried Christmas trees to Chicago going down on its way there. This story is historically accurate, and I was kind of surprised I had never heard of it before

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw a musical theatre production based on this true story several years back, and wanted to read this original children's story by the descendant of that real-life skipper.
Simple and enjoyable, with some good illustrations. However, I was hoping for a longer, more detailed work. Maybe someone will write a historical fiction based on this story.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting true story based on a Schooner loaded with Christmas Trees that went down over a century ago. Of particular interest to those in the Chicago area, this picture book is a good read at Christmas (especially if you're looking for something more unique than the usual nativity or Santa stories.)

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖊 The lettering in the story is much, much too tiny for me to discern the words on any one of my Kindles. Therefore, I will review what I can discern – the artwork. The cover is very pretty and colorful, the old-fashioned illustrations inside are just as pretty and vibrant.

જ⁀🟡 Kindle Unlimited.
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[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool Christmas story for Chicago people! So neat!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures are beautiful and the story is very interesting. Plus being a Michigander, I like the Michigan tie.

[Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and gorgeous illustrations made this a really great book.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read, enjoyable illustrations. fun read ... great for any ones book shelf ... i think you could read it any ole' time.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book based on a true story. Best for elementary-aged children.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute storyline but abrupt.

[Timothy Morrison]

In the same year that the Titanic sunk, this real Christmas ship sank,killing those on board

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art. Interesting story based on a true story.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice read for the holiday season.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Michigan light keepers tale of the Christmas tree ship.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful picture book!

Told through the eyes of a young boy, he recalls his Grandfather Axel's tales. His favorite was always the retelling of Captain Schuenemann and the Christmas tree ship, Rouse Simmons.

The story tells of Captain "Santa" taking Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago on his ship, every single year. Until the Rouse Simmons sinks, and all is in despair. Yet the legacy continues.

It's such a heartwarming tale for the family to read it together --- especially on Christmas Eve. In addition to the story itself, the artwork by Chris Ellison is just stunning! I kept flipping through the pages again and again to take in the detailed pictures. The story of Captain Schuenemann is actually true, so you'll be learning historical facts with your children as you read. I'd definitely recommend this one!

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on real facts and turned into a wonderful children's story to be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. The way the story is written it seems like a poem more than a story but will be enjoyed nonetheless.
The Christmas tree ship had been delivering Christmas trees to children for years, but one year tragedy struck. Would this be the end of the Christmas tree ship? What about all the children who loved to get their Christmas trees from Captain Santa? Who would deliver them now?

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story. Though the author points out that the story is fiction, it's historical fiction in the best way. It's also a bit of unusual subject matter that would be sure to garner student interest. Could be enjoyed on its own but could easily lead into something more involved. It's not your typical ho-hum Christmas tale. This one is worth the read.

[Starr Elementary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story destined to be a Christmas classic. I loved this account of the sinking of the sinking of the Rouse Simmons in November 1912 as it transported Christmas trees across Lake Michigan to the children of Chicago. Beautiful illustrations and heartwarming story.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story destined to be a Christmas classic. I loved this account of the sinking of the sinking of the Rouse Simmons in November 1912 as it transported Christmas trees across Lake Michigan to the children of Chicago. Beautiful illustrations and heartwarming story.