The Christmas Tree Ship

by Jeanette Winter

A young schooner captain travels treacherous Lake Michigan each year to supply Chicagoans with spruce trees for Christmas, and when he is lost at sea, his family decides to continue the tradition.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 5, 1998

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the face of sadness, a family overcomes their melancholy to continue a holiday tradition and brighten the spirits of others. Vivid, evocative illustrations enliven the text and impress upon the reader more strongly than the words.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year, Herman cuts down spruce trees in the north woods and sails them down Lake Michigan to sell in Chicago, where his schooner is known as the Christmas Tree Ship. And every year, his wife and three daughters wait for him to return up north. One year, however, a terrible storm hits, and Herman and his schooner are lost at sea. Despite their grief, Herman's family knows what they must do: carry on the tradition of the Christmas Tree Ship. This is a heartrending tale based on a true story from the early 1900's, accompanied by Jeannette Winter's warm illustrations.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this short book tells the story of the Christmas ships that brought trees from the north woods of Michigan across the lake to Chicago. Every year since 1887, residents of Chicago look forward to Captain Herman's arrival. His young daughters and wife love helping out. One day the Christmas ship does not arrive. The people of Chicago are deeply concerned and send out a search crew for their captain. They find their trees but not their captain. Despite grieving, his family continued the tradition their beloved husband/father started.

This is a nice story but it may be difficult for young children to understand or accept the captain's death. The blizzard and subsequent presumed shipwreck may be too scary for sensitive readers like niece #1. I have never heard this story before but I liked learning about the Christmas Tree Ship. The illustrations are cute in a folk art sort of way. They are colorful and bright enough to attract kids but not incredible.

[Mother Goose Librarian]

This is a beautiful story of a fishing boat that delivers Christmas trees to the city during the winter. Based on a true story.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree Ship by Jeanette Winter- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- This book is based on a true incident. Captain Herman of Michigan owns a ship. From November onwards, he cuts spruce trees loads them on his ship. He passes the norther woods of Michigan across the lake of Chicago and delivers them to people of Chicago for celebrating Christmas. Every year since 1887, residents of Chicago look forward to Captain Herman's arrival. His three young daughters Hazel, Pearl and Elgi and wife Hannah love helping out. One day the Christmas ship does not arrive at Chicago. The people of Chicago are deeply concerned and send out a search crew for their captain. They find their trees but not their captain. Later they discover Captain’s message in a bottle say that he is trying to survive in the blizzard and that he loves his family. Next year in November, his family stops grieving, they continued the tradition their beloved husband and father started. When their ship reaches Chicago with Christmas trees, they are welcomed. The illustrations are cute in a folk art sort of way. They are colorful and bright. I have read Hindi language translation of this book.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Tree Ship by Jennette Winter
Cute holiday story about a family that always brought Christmas trees to the city from the nursery they grew the trees to the city.
1887 along the Michigan waters Capt. Herman always brought the trees to the city of Chicago. Wife and girls watched him go one cold winter morning.
Lake Michigan was quiet and he sailed along Chicago River to deliver the trees. One year the ship hit a blizzard and the log had a message to his family.
Tree ship never made it to the city. Fisherman found trees caught up in their nets but no fisherman. Bottle in the message never made it to the family.
The wife and girls helped their mother carry on their fathers work. They sang carols along the way and people of the city welcomed them.
Nice to hear of the tradition going on. About the author is included. Listened to this book and understand there are sketches in the book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard this story at a holiday story telling program. The presenters were simple amazing!
Then I found this book on my library shelf. I like the illustrations.
I found in this reread that Winter got the wife's name wrong....?

It's a Michigan, Chicago and Wisconsing story.
Interesting and sad piece of Maritime history.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me of Lee Murdock and his storytelling programs.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that someone dies in the story, it's a good story.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually rave about Winter’s books. I felt that a few more clues about the personalities of the characters could have been engaging in this melancholy story.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alissa was sad that the family never found Herman's message in a bottle.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 1994 Jeannette Winter book I just discovered, thanks to a patron's hold on the library item. Some holiday history of Lake Michigan and Chicago packaged in a touching, accessible story

[Della Tingle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading Christmas books with my children should be a happy occasion. This book is sad and left me feeling despondent. That is NOT how I want to feel while reading a Christmas book to children. 😢

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I've had since I was a child, and I wanted to read it again for fun. Definitely a nice and fun children's book!

[Margaret]

The Christmas Tree Ship (Philomel Books, October 6, 1994) written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter is based upon the true story of Captain Herman Schuenemann. This man used his fishing schooner, the Rouse Simmons, to deliver evergreen trees from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Chicago beginning in 1887. For twenty-five years he set sail from Thompson to deliver Christmas joy to waiting people on the other side of Lake Michigan.



My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I choked up a little, but my seven year old had to ask "did the ship sink?" and claims he only knew that because of the public radio bit heard just before I decided to finally read this book. I love how Winter gently tells hard truths (as in the Librarian of Basra) without being overly dramatic. Beautiful images of the mothers and daughters tossing flowers into the lake, but not so much emotion in the text that it makes it difficult to read.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun picture book to read with your children. It tells the story of a brave captain who made Christmas happen for many families, by bringing trees to them on his ship. Adorable pictures.

I also recommend another picture book of the same name, which is written by Carol Crane.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears in my eyes, as Naomi read this out loud. Based on a true story, Jeanette Winter's The Christmas Tree Ship, tells of bringing Christmas trees from the woods of Michigan to the city of Chicago.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple story about a real life fishing ship captain who brought Christmas trees to the city every year until he died during a blizzard and his wife and 3 little girls took over his job.

[Srinidhi.R Srinidhi.R · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked the story..its sad to hear about the death of the father..loved the pictures..

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: B
Writing: A
Vocabulary: B
Level: Easy
Rating: PG (death by storm at sea)
Illustrations: B

[Anna Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and I love that it is true and based in Chicago.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit of a sad story.