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The Christmas Pine
From the author of perennial #1 bestseller Room on the Broom , a new holiday tale celebrating hope, joy, and the spirit of Christmas. Deep in a snowy wood stands a little pine tree with a special when it grows up, it’s going to be a fabulous Christmas tree! The tree travels far across the sea to shine in a city square. Crowds gather to admire it, children sing carols around it, and the tree brings joy and the spirit of the season to all who pass by. Inspired by the annual journey of London’s Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, this story includes back matter detailing the tree’s history as a gift to the United Kingdom from the people of Norway in remembrance of the UK’s support during World War II – an enduring symbol of friendship and peace.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2021
3 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,231 books1,909 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 25, 2022
Five shiny 🎄 stars for this picture book adaptation of the poem written for the 2020 Trafalgar Square tree. From its tiny pine cone beginnings in Norway to the glorious reveal in London, this is a delightful seasonal read.
And may the children
grow and shine,
Grow and shine
like the Christmas pine.
And may the children
grow and shine,
Grow and shine
like the Christmas pine.
December 10, 2023
Every year, a tree is chosen, cut down, and transported a long way to London to be put up as a Christmas tree in Picadilly. There, the tree stands and basks people's joy and wonder.
I have to say that this story had me conflicted. It's the usual problem I have with big cities putting up big Christmas trees: these trees are OLD and they get chopped down to be decorated for a few weeks before being thrown out as trash. Trees that have been the home of all kinds of animals, that have cleaned our air, and stopped avalanches and such.
So while I, too, love Christmas and the Advent, the twinkle lights and special candy as well as the holiday spirit, I am critical of using real-life trees. The one I have at home is from my boss' patch of forest where he plants trees every year and only gives trees to family members and a limited number of friends so it's sustainable. And even that makes me feel guilty. Which is why I still have the fake one my grandma bought many years ago (it's actually very pretty).
In addition to the melancholia that the book brought on by letting the tree tell us of its happy years in the forest before it was cut down, I also didn't quite get the feeling of a happy and uplifting Christmas story. Sure, in the end, the book's message was revealed and it was a good one, but it didn't feel quite right for me.
I have to say that this story had me conflicted. It's the usual problem I have with big cities putting up big Christmas trees: these trees are OLD and they get chopped down to be decorated for a few weeks before being thrown out as trash. Trees that have been the home of all kinds of animals, that have cleaned our air, and stopped avalanches and such.
So while I, too, love Christmas and the Advent, the twinkle lights and special candy as well as the holiday spirit, I am critical of using real-life trees. The one I have at home is from my boss' patch of forest where he plants trees every year and only gives trees to family members and a limited number of friends so it's sustainable. And even that makes me feel guilty. Which is why I still have the fake one my grandma bought many years ago (it's actually very pretty).
In addition to the melancholia that the book brought on by letting the tree tell us of its happy years in the forest before it was cut down, I also didn't quite get the feeling of a happy and uplifting Christmas story. Sure, in the end, the book's message was revealed and it was a good one, but it didn't feel quite right for me.
November 30, 2021
A nice story about the tradition of a Christmas tree being sent as a present to the UK from Norway as a symbol of peace and a thank you for the UK's support during WWII.
A downside for me was that the Scandinavian illustrator has depicted this tree as having branches that face the ground. If you look at a Christmas tree or Google a Norwegian Spruce (which is what this is) you will see their branches point up to the sky. Sadly they're often drawn pointing down, many art teachers use this as an example of drawing what you see not what you think you see.
Other than that a nice enough story about a tree being gifted from one country to another, the story is quite simple and doesn't involve much other than the tree being gifted. There's a nice scene with some children singing around the tree but was hoping for a bit more.
A downside for me was that the Scandinavian illustrator has depicted this tree as having branches that face the ground. If you look at a Christmas tree or Google a Norwegian Spruce (which is what this is) you will see their branches point up to the sky. Sadly they're often drawn pointing down, many art teachers use this as an example of drawing what you see not what you think you see.
Other than that a nice enough story about a tree being gifted from one country to another, the story is quite simple and doesn't involve much other than the tree being gifted. There's a nice scene with some children singing around the tree but was hoping for a bit more.
January 20, 2024
The Christmas Pine is a beautifully illustrated story, told in rhyme, about a Norwegian pine tree which is chosen to be the “Queen of the Forest”. The pine tree is honored to be transported to Trafalgar Square in London where it is adorned with lights and admired by many people during the Christmas season.
Based on true events, the history of this special tradition is detailed at the end of the book. I think that it’s especially fitting that the author, Julia Donaldson, is British and the illustrator, Victoria Sandoy, is Norwegian.
Both children and adults would enjoy reading this wonderful story!
Based on true events, the history of this special tradition is detailed at the end of the book. I think that it’s especially fitting that the author, Julia Donaldson, is British and the illustrator, Victoria Sandoy, is Norwegian.
Both children and adults would enjoy reading this wonderful story!
December 9, 2022
My kids smiled. I smiled. It was a good book.
December 21, 2022
As an Anglophile, I enjoyed this look at the Christmas pine of London's Trafalgar Square though the book didn't really feel "special" to me. Perhaps I expected too much from Donaldson (Room on the Broom and others are favorites in our house) or perhaps I've simply read too many similar books about the Rockefeller Christmas Tree -- quite a popular subject for Christmas picture books here in the States. I did enjoy the backstory about the tree being a gift of friendship between Norway and England, and it is a nice touch that the author is British and the illustrator is Norwegian. However, do see Hilary's review which points out that the branches of the Norwegian Spruce are drawn incorrectly in the illustrations (should be pointing up, not down).
December 26, 2023
Loved the story, but was fascinated by the true story on the back cover.
January 8, 2022
Told from the perspective of the tree, the story begins with a little pine tree, growing in a snowy wood in Norway.
This little tree is actually a very important tree – one day it will become the huge Christmas tree which is displayed in Trafalgar Square in London. We follow the tree as it grows then is cut down, and taken to its new home in England, where it is decorated and enjoyed by thousands of people.
The poem is based on a real-life tradition. Each year, for the last 70 years, the Mayor of Oslo in Norway has given a Christmas tree to the people of Britain as a thank you for their support during WWII. The tree is a symbol of peace and friendship between the two countries. Every year, a poet is asked to write a poem to welcome the tree. This book contains the poem that Julia Donaldson wrote for the 2020 Christmas tree.
This is a fantastic picture book for Christmas time which is written in rhyme and is beautifully illustrated too. The simple poem is perfect to read aloud to younger children and everyone will enjoy looking at the colourful pictures. The illustrations are so detailed and really capture the mood of the Norwegian forest and busy festive London.
This little tree is actually a very important tree – one day it will become the huge Christmas tree which is displayed in Trafalgar Square in London. We follow the tree as it grows then is cut down, and taken to its new home in England, where it is decorated and enjoyed by thousands of people.
The poem is based on a real-life tradition. Each year, for the last 70 years, the Mayor of Oslo in Norway has given a Christmas tree to the people of Britain as a thank you for their support during WWII. The tree is a symbol of peace and friendship between the two countries. Every year, a poet is asked to write a poem to welcome the tree. This book contains the poem that Julia Donaldson wrote for the 2020 Christmas tree.
This is a fantastic picture book for Christmas time which is written in rhyme and is beautifully illustrated too. The simple poem is perfect to read aloud to younger children and everyone will enjoy looking at the colourful pictures. The illustrations are so detailed and really capture the mood of the Norwegian forest and busy festive London.
December 17, 2022
Ce livre raconte l’histoire d’une tradition qui a vu jour en 1947 et qui persiste encore de nos jours, entre les norvégiens et les britanniques: l’offrande d’un sapin de Noël. C’est une façon pour les norvégiens de remercier les britanniques pour leur soutien durant la seconde guerre mondiale. Je trouve cette histoire très touchante et très représentatif du véritable esprit de Noël. Je le lis chaque année et chaque fois ça me fait chaud au coeur.
May 13, 2023
A beautiful story but Poppy who is three found it a bit sad when they chopped the tree down.
October 30, 2022
This is very good. A poem written for the 2020 Norwegian tree given for London's Christmas.
#JennyGuyColvin
#JennyGuyColvin
December 17, 2022
Heartwarming with lovely illustrations.
March 14, 2022
A lovely Christmas story with rhyme and rhythm is escalated to another level because it is actually based on real events. Every year Norway gifts a tree to London for Christmas. After reading the afterword I went back and read the book again, examining things more closely and let my heart sing.
December 3, 2024
Lovely illustrations but since it was by Julia Donaldson, I had higher expectations and ended up a bit disappointed with the story overall. But I do very much like that she mentions the Nativity in her poem, as it seems it is left out the great majority of new Christmas picture books.
November 16, 2023
Julia Donaldson's delightful rhyme of the pine tree reflects the fact that the Mayor Of Oslo in Norway presented the people of Great Britain with a spectacular Christmas tree in 1947 as a symbol of peace and friendship, a thank you for the UK's support during World War II. And the offering has continued ever since with the tree being displayed In London's Trafalgar Square.
The tree is chosen months, or even on occasion years, ahead and it is named 'The Queen of the Forest'. The foresters even talk to it (and even hug it!) to ensure that the tree grows strong and tall. When it is finally felled in a pleasing ceremony, it makes it way over sea and land to its final destination.
Each year the UK Poetry Society commissions a poem to be written to celebrate the tree's arrival. In 2020 Julia Donaldson, the acclaimed author of 'The Gruffalo', wrote 'The Christmas Pine', which was performed by schoolchildren and subsequently displayed in Trafalgar Square.
Now in book form with delightful illustrations by Victoria Sandøy, 'The Christmas Pine' tells the story of the life of this special tree most sympathetically. It should be noted that the Norwegian foresters are careful to plant more trees than they cut down to make sure that their forests continue to grow ... and they are always on the look out for the next 'Queen of the Forest'.
The tree is chosen months, or even on occasion years, ahead and it is named 'The Queen of the Forest'. The foresters even talk to it (and even hug it!) to ensure that the tree grows strong and tall. When it is finally felled in a pleasing ceremony, it makes it way over sea and land to its final destination.
Each year the UK Poetry Society commissions a poem to be written to celebrate the tree's arrival. In 2020 Julia Donaldson, the acclaimed author of 'The Gruffalo', wrote 'The Christmas Pine', which was performed by schoolchildren and subsequently displayed in Trafalgar Square.
Now in book form with delightful illustrations by Victoria Sandøy, 'The Christmas Pine' tells the story of the life of this special tree most sympathetically. It should be noted that the Norwegian foresters are careful to plant more trees than they cut down to make sure that their forests continue to grow ... and they are always on the look out for the next 'Queen of the Forest'.
December 31, 2023
This book is based on a poem Julia Donaldson recited for this specific tree celebration in London. The poem was great and describes the trip of a tree from the forest to the city where its a Christmas tree for the city of London.
The artwork is lovely. It's a nice story. I liked the beginning when the tree lived happily in the woods.
I found the most interesting part was the last page in a note from the author. So, every year, Sweden sends a giant Norwegian spruce to London for Christmas as a Thank you for UK's support during WWII. I never knew this. They take great care growing plenty of trees each year to send one over. There is so much to learn in this life. Very cool.
Thanks Julia.
The artwork is lovely. It's a nice story. I liked the beginning when the tree lived happily in the woods.
I found the most interesting part was the last page in a note from the author. So, every year, Sweden sends a giant Norwegian spruce to London for Christmas as a Thank you for UK's support during WWII. I never knew this. They take great care growing plenty of trees each year to send one over. There is so much to learn in this life. Very cool.
Thanks Julia.
November 29, 2025
A pine tree recounts how it became a Christmas tree.
Narrated in first person, an evergreen tree tells its life story from a tiny sapling in a Norwegian forest to mature and majestic pine tree. The tree is felled and journeys to Great Britain where it becomes a Christmas tree in London, enjoying the holiday festivities, especially hearing the children sing.
This story is based on the tradition of the Mayor of Oslo, Norway, annually gifting Great Britain a special Christmas tree. Beginning in 1947, as thanks for its support during World War II, Norway sends a special pine tree to Great Britain each year, which is then installed as a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, London, England.
Narrated in first person, an evergreen tree tells its life story from a tiny sapling in a Norwegian forest to mature and majestic pine tree. The tree is felled and journeys to Great Britain where it becomes a Christmas tree in London, enjoying the holiday festivities, especially hearing the children sing.
This story is based on the tradition of the Mayor of Oslo, Norway, annually gifting Great Britain a special Christmas tree. Beginning in 1947, as thanks for its support during World War II, Norway sends a special pine tree to Great Britain each year, which is then installed as a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, London, England.
January 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It follows the life of a pine tree, from a little seed in Norway to a giant Christmas Tree in Britain. It has the flow and tone we have all grown to love from Donaldson (Gruffalo), but with illustrations by a new to me artist (that I adore!). Oh, and... it's told from the perspective of the tree!
And, at the end of the book, there is a fun story about how this book is based on a true story - Norway sends a giant tree to Britain every year as a thank you for their help in WWII.
I really loved it, and it will be a staple in our house every winter!
And, at the end of the book, there is a fun story about how this book is based on a true story - Norway sends a giant tree to Britain every year as a thank you for their help in WWII.
I really loved it, and it will be a staple in our house every winter!
January 5, 2023
As much as I enjoyed the poem and illustrations, the note in the back made me love this book most. Every year since 1947, the mayor of Oslo, Norway presents the British with a beautiful Christmas tree. It's typically a Norwegian Spruce, and it is displayed in Trafalgar Square. It is a gift to thank them for their support during WWII. Each year a poet is asked to write a poem to welcome the pine, and this poem was written to celebrate the 2020 tree. The illustrations and poem are remarkable.
February 20, 2023
A sweet book bringing life to a famed Christmas tree tradition. The most interesting part to me was the note at the end explaining that the story is based on a tradition from Norway, who annually choose a “Queen of the forest” Norwegian Spruce, and care for it lovingly until it’s ready to gift to the UK, presented in Trafalgar Square, as a thank you for their help in WWII. They also briefly mention how the Norwegian foresters are careful to always plant more trees than they cut down to sustain the forest. Recommend, especially for the holiday season.
November 21, 2021
This gorgeous picture book tells the story of one of the huge pines that is gifted to Britain each year by the Mayor of Oslo. The rhyming text has all of Julia Donaldson’s usual charm and the illustrations are full of detail. I particularly love the depiction of the tree’s arrival in Trafalgar Square and reading at the end of the book that Victoria Sandøy lives not far from where the trees are grown felt wonderfully fitting.
November 26, 2021
Delightful! Once again, Donaldson conquers the world of children's literature, one rhyme at a time. Only this time around, she's kind enough to sparkle some Christmas magic along with it.
To top it all off, the illustrations are stunning, stunning, STUNNING! Given the origin of the story, I'm so glad that the publishers picked a Norwegian illustrator, which makes me appreciate the illustrations all the more.
To top it all off, the illustrations are stunning, stunning, STUNNING! Given the origin of the story, I'm so glad that the publishers picked a Norwegian illustrator, which makes me appreciate the illustrations all the more.
January 16, 2022
The Christmas Pine is a beautiful picture book, with rhyming tale by Julia Donaldson. It tells the tale of the tradition of Norway gifting a tree to England, for their Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. It is beautifully illustrated by Victoria Sandoy, making it the prefect festive read for small children.
November 26, 2022
A lovely illustrated poem honoring the annual Christmas tree that the Mayor of Oslo gives to the British people. Originally written for the 2020 Christmas tree, Donaldson's poem tells the story of the tree from a tiny seed inside a cone to the fully decorated tree on display. A beautiful book to share before seeing a tree lighting ceremony!
January 8, 2026
Beautifully illustrated picture book based on a true story about a Norwegian tradition of presenting the British people with a spectacular Christmas tree. It's a symbol of peace and friendship, a thank you to the UK for their support during WWII. I love that Julia Donaldson orginially wrote this book to celebrate the 2020 Christmas tree and was performed by school children.
December 24, 2022
A beautifully illustrated book, to accompany the poem celebrating the tradition of the Norwegian Christmas Tree that stands in Trafalgar Square. It's a lovely poem, as to be expected from Julia Donaldson, and the illustrations are absolutely lovely.
December 17, 2023
A quick, light read about a Christmas tree being gifted from one country to another. It’s a nice tradition, and one I never knew of, being from the US. I love Julia’s writing, so I was hoping the story would be longer than it is. Still cute!
March 30, 2024
Fant litt gull på min vei, selv om de ikke er helt gjeldende akkurat nå. Tror de begge er best på engelsk. Fulle av rim og rytme, fine å lære engelsk av, anbefaler å skaffe seg begge på engelsk i alle barneskoleklasserom til jul
November 25, 2021
This is beautifully illustrated short story with a nice simple message. It is very short. Suitable for ages 3-7.
December 2, 2021
A lovely Christmas poem with gorgeous illustrations. I believe this will become a Christmas classic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews