The After-Christmas Tree

by Linda Wagner Tyler, Susan Davis (Illustrator)

Family members take their Christmas tree into the back yard and decorate it with edible trimmings for the wild birds and animals.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Fiction, Juvenile, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading this aloud to my students on the first day back after winter break. It's always kind of sad when the holidays are over and it's time to take down the tree. In this story, the after-Christmas blues are solved by throwing a winter party where the participants ice skate, collect pinecones, and decorate the tree with birdfeeders and put it out in the yard. The tree has a second season of giving.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale of reusing a tree and being able to provide a festive and edible decoration for the animals after Christmas is over. The narrative is short and entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Jenna Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was great with my preschool kids. We will do some of the activities ourselves.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great post Christmas book for someone like me that likes to celebrate Christmas longer!

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The After-Christmas Tree by Linda Wagner Tyler
Story of a time when the holiday ends too soon. One family have a solution.
After the Christmas holidays are over the family brings the tree outside and decorate it for the animals.
They are able to make ornaments for the birds to eat and put bright colored things on it.
They even sent invitations for after Christmas celebration. Pinecones and popcorn the children help decorate the tree.
There are recipes that you can make yourself. The party outside then starts as the kids are warm inside with their hot chocolate.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Cindy Overcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The After-Christmas Tree” written by Linda Wagner Tyler and illustrated by Susan Davis (Copyright 1990, Penguin Group) is a favorite from my collection of vintage picture books. The story begins on New Year’s Day, stating that it’s (sadly) time to take down the Christmas tree. After remembering the fun of the Christmas season and not wanting it to end, a winter party is planned. The old Christmas tree finds new life as it is moved to the backyard, where it is decorated with treats for the birds and wild animals to eat during the winter. This blog post was originally published as part of my "Picture Book Favorites for Winter" blog post at www.cindyovercast.com.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great idea for next year!

[Bonnie Tesch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this more than I expected to. The illustrations leave something to be desired, but the text is nice and the idea is original.

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book! I remember this from my childhood.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet little story about repurposing a real Christmas tree after the holidays.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art and a sweet message.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great idea!!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family thinks of a way to use their Christmas tree long after the holidays have ended and the New Year has started.

[Tears for Breakfast · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of up cycling your Christmas tree. Had cute ideas the kids really connected with and wanted to do themselves at home

[Storywraps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of feelings of the Christmas let-down blues. When you are packing your delightful holiday away in bags and boxes, a fun idea can inspire you and others to make a difference, and yes, become a blessing to the others living right outside your door.


Old Christmas Tree

Christmas now is over.
Our Christmas tree is done,
We hung the bells, the lights, the balls,
And we had so much fun.

How sad we must discard it,
Throw it out against the curb,
Our tree brought so much happiness,
Made our Christmastime superb.

I really hate to see it go...
But wait maybe there's more...
Can we use our tree again?
Before we toss it out the door.

Let's invite the neighbours
To a party - we can share,
We'll feed the birds and animals
And show them that we care.

We'll send an invitation...
First go skating on the pond
We'll sing and laugh and call on them
To bring everyone along.

We'll peanut butter pine cones,
String popcorn, berries too,
We'll decorate our Christmas tree,
That's the perfect thing to do!

And when our tree is standing
All proudly loaded down
We'll lift up our hot chocolate
And toast the work we've done.

We'll share the Christmas spirit
With all creatures great and small,
Our lovely, reused Christmas tree,
Will be a blessing to them all.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book to help teach children how to 'recycle' your real tree after you have used it as a Christmas tree. The family does this after the child says he is sad that Christmas is over. They get their neighbors together and have a 'party' to make 'ornaments' they all gathered pine cones and then covered them with peanut butter and birdseed. Made other things tht animals would enjoy eating. They then took the tree outside and sat it up so it can again be useful. Special book.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiction; Juvenile/Christmas
3 stars

Thoughtful idea about showing kids how to use your tree to treat the birds after Christmas is over. I liked it ☺

[Kristin King · Rating 4 out of 5]

We picked this up used somewhere and have added it to our little stack of Christmas books that we read each year. The title and cover grab me every time I pull it out with the holiday decor.

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, while very simple, has a unique and creative idea at the end. I would like to try it myself someday.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.