By Julia Donaldson (author) , Victoria Sandoy (illustrator)
"A magical picture book for Christmas, written in perfect, heartfelt rhyme"
Paperback Pre-order. 8th October 2026 £7.99 £7.19
Paperback In Stock £9.99 £8.99
Board book In Stock £7.99 £7.19
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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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.
"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.
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.
'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
Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child , which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages.
Her other books include Room on the Broom, Stick Man and Zog, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Hospital Dog, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures, illustrated by Lydia Monks.
Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series, illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand.
She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011–13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature.
Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.
Click here to read a Q & A with Julia.
Author photo © Steve Ullathorne
British Book Awards 2022
the best picture books · the best bedtime stories
When We Were Very Young
The Lights that Dance in the Night
A magical book for Christmas, written in perfect, heartfelt rhyme by Julia Donaldson, bestselling creator of Zog and Superworm - now as a chunky board book! This is the perfect picture book to snuggle up with and share at Christmas.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Christmas Pine and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
The Christmas Pine features in the following genres: Featured Books for 3+ readers, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Festive Fiction, Poetry Books for Children, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals
Paperback, Board book, Hardback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Christmas Pine was written by Julia Donaldson and published by Alison Green Books an imprint of Scholastic
The Christmas Pine has 30 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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