A Christmas Tree in the White House

by Gary Hines, Alexandra Wallner (Illustrator)

When President Theodore Roosevelt announces that there will be no White House Christmas tree because cutting down trees is against his conservation efforts, his youngest sons, Quentin and Archie, are deeply disappointed. They can't imagine Christmas without a tree. The two determined boys enlist the help of their aunt and sneak a small tree into their bedroom. When the president finds out, he takes the boys to see the chief forester in hopes of teaching them a lesson. But the chief forester says cutting down smaller trees will help the taller ones grow. "Isn't that bully!" says the president, and the boys shout, "Hooray for the tree!"

Gary Hines and Alexandra Wallner bring this story, based on actual events, to life in a light-hearted text matched with bright, cheerful art. Young readers will enjoy this humorous episode in history and relish the children's "victory" over their father. At the end of the book, there is a photograph of the Roosevelt family and an author's note on Roosevelt, his children, and the real Christmas tree.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1998

Reviews

[Summer]

This was our Advent book today. Really enjoyed this. Our oldest loves Teddy Roosevelt and enjoyed that there was some humor in this story.

[Erin]

Hard for my Theodore to not like books about Theodore Roosevelt AND Christmas ☺️

[Abigail]

Theodore Roosevelt's children are disappointed when he declares that there can be no Christmas tree in the White House owing to his beliefs about conservation in this mostly true holiday story from author Gary Hines and illustrator Alexandra Wallner. Determined to have their accustomed arboreal decoration, and encouraged by their Aunt Anna, the two youngest boys, Archie and Quentin, sneak a little tree into the Presidential Mansion. When they are discovered by their father, they are marched off to see Gifford Pinchot, the chief forester, who has a surprising response. The story ends with a happy compromise, and the book closes with some back matter giving more information about Theodore Roosevelt, and specifying which parts of the story are true, and which embroidered...

Published in 1998, A Christmas Tree in the White House was the first of two similar picture book collaborations done by Hines and Wallner, followed in 2003 by Thanksgiving in the White House , which retells a story about Tad Lincoln and the first Thanksgiving celebration held in the Presidential Mansion. Although I have read a few other books illustrated by Wallner, this is the first book I have read from Hines, who worked for the United States Forest Service, and whose other titles often seem to have themes involving forestry and conservation. In 2005, his Midnight Forests: A Story of Gifford Pinchot and Our National Forests was published, going into more depth about Pinchot, who features in the story here. In any case, I found this one engaging, appreciating the glimpse it gave into the family life of the Roosevelts, during Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, and the influence of his strong views on conservation on their holiday observances. I also appreciated the note at the end, specifying what is true—quite a bit of the story—while specifying what is fictional (the actual dialogue). This is one I would recommend to picture book readers who enjoy historical Christmas stories, or who are interested in Presidents and presidential families at the holidays.

[Barbara]

Historical Fiction about Theodore Roosevelt and his children. The kids want a Christmas tree in the White House, but Roosevelt forbids it and explains that it goes against his efforts at conservation. The boys sneak a small tree into their room, and are eventually caught. Things take a happy turn when the President takes the boys to visit his good friend and forester, Gifford Pinchot, and they all learn some of the finer points of conservation and forestry. To everyone's satisfation, the boys get to keep their tree in the bedroom.

[Sandy]

An interesting picture book that adds some history and ecology to a Christmas story about Teddy Roosevelt's children. Adults may appreciate this book more than children, but a good read if you're looking for something more than the typical Christmas picture books.

[Jennifer Wrage]

Interesting insight into Theodore Roosevelt's family life. Humanizes the office.

[Mary Gray]

Adorable story filled with happiness.

[Shelli]

No Christmas tree in the White House?? This will just not due! The Roosevelt children find a way to enjoy the smell of Christmas secretly. Of course hiding the scent of pine from a naturalist like Theodore Roosevelt is impossible. Can he convince his children that cutting down trees for brief decorating enjoyment is wrong? That it goes against everything in his conservationist nature?? Or will Roosevelt himself learn a lesson in horticulture??

This was an entertaining tale of Christmas time at the White House while Roosevelt was in office. Gary Hines did a nice job of showing some of the Roosevelt family’s traits and their unique family dynamics.

[Cindi]

We really enjoyed this mostly non-fiction story about Theodore Roosevelt and his kids. Pres. Roosevelt didn't want to put a big tree in the white house because it was against his conservation ideas. His boys sneak a tree in through their window and there is a subsequent trip to the chief forester where the President, learns that it's o.k. to take some small trees.

Too bad the boys were disobedient and still got their way! But I liked how Teddy Roosevelt accepted his error and allowed the family to have a tree for Christmas.

[Teri]

Ordered this on Amazon. It is a used copy someone bought in Washington DC(Can tell by the writing in the front cover). Such a fun story of two sons of Theodore Roosevelt who snuck in a tree to their bedroom in the White House.

[Shelley]

A sweet story about when President T. Roosevelt banned Christmas tree from the White House his two younger sons snuck one in. A lil' bit of ecology, history, and fun makes a nice tale for Christmas. Based on a true story.

[Jennifer]

A short look at Theodore Roosevelt's attempt to enforce his presidential conservation policies in the White House by not allowing his boys to have a Christmas tree. They had other ideas and took matters into their own hands.

[Matthew]

Very delightful story. the historical follow-up in the back is just as illuminating.

[Deanna]

A cute story about a Christmas tree. I don't know much about Pres. Roosevelt, so this was a good little snippet into his family life.

[Colette]

Great book to pair with What to do about Alice!

[Michele Scheffe]

Liked the history within the story, about President Roosevelt.