Little Christmas Tree

by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

"Courtney-Tickle’s friendly digital illustrations teem with life, while the sparkly, snow-dappled trees and lift-the-flap surprises are pleasantly reminiscent of an Advent calendar." – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

One white and snowy night, a little Christmas tree stands alone in the forest. Everything is white and lifeless. As the night goes on, there are signs of life: an orange fox, a red-breasted robin, a cloud of fireflies. By the end of the book, the little Christmas tree is transformed by nature. Another glorious lift-the-flap exploration of nature in the same series as Little Tree and Little Honeybee.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Nature, Animals

12 pages, Board Book

Published October 16, 2018

About the author

Jessica Courtney-Tickle is an illustrator, writer, and creative based in Cambridge, England. She studied Illustration and Animation at Kingston University London graduating in July 2014. Since then she has worked on a diverse range of picture books with authors such as John Agard, Ursula Jones and Lisa Mantchev. Jessica also continues to illustrate the best selling The Story Orchestra series, written by Katy Flint.

Upcoming books include The Little Blue Cottage written by Kelly Jordan. My Nana's Garden written by Dawn Casey and The Story Orchestra, Carnival of the Animals written by Katy Flint.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Lift-the-flap book about winter in the forest and the animals and plants hiding under the flaps. They use some foil in their pages because some of the trees sparkle. It’s very pretty.

This might be the last year the Nephew will be into these books. They are young and he is really growing. He still loves them right now, but he is starting to get opinionated about things and he’s into more older boy stuff. I will miss watching him spend 20 minutes lifting flaps over and over in wonder. He did enjoy the book, but animals aren’t as exciting to him as they were. He’s growing so fast. He gave this 3 stars. The niece saw the book quickly too and it’s much to young for her and so she gave it 1 star because it’s for babies. She can’t just look at the prettiness of the book. Anything for young kids gets 1 star.

I thought it was a lovely book and it would be great for young children. I miss them enjoying these books. It’s just me now.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Snow has fallen everywhere / and turned the green wood white. / A little Christmas tree wakes up / and sparkles in the light." So begins the rhyming narrative of this sweet holiday tale, in which a little tree experiences Christmas in the forest. A fairly tall board book, it features colorful, appealing artwork from author/illustrator Jessica Courtney-Tickle and lots of flaps to lift on each page.

Although I don't usually pick up board books, I found the cover of Little Christmas Tree so appealing that I had to take a look. The artwork itself is beautiful, full of color and enhanced by silvery accents. The rhyming text would make this one a good read-aloud, while the many flaps will provide an entertaining interactive experience for younger, toddler-aged children.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love this one. It is more of a short picture book with flaps than the typical board book. Beautifully illustrated with silver foil adornments throughout. A really unique and special holiday offering.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beautiful lift-the-flap exploration of nature as little tree realizes it is not so alone as it thinks. Each page holds several flaps and the words tease readers to find what's being said by lifting the flaps. Some of nature's things are visible, but others hide, and in clever places, too. Where is the "brilliant goldfinch (that) sings?" and where is the field mouse "who needs a place to hide"? It's a great book to introduce come of the wonders of nature.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art and fun flap book.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book. It is a large sturdy board book that is safe in little hands. Yet it is designed to enthrall the little ones. There are fascinating lift-the-flap opportunities and when you lift a flap you discover an object or a creature. It is nice that the flaps' underside has the word for what you discover. Some of the flaps are very small and you must look closely to discover them all. Nice!

The book is lovely with the woodland illustrations and creatures highlighted with touches of silver embossing. Lends a nice pretty touch. I like that the tree remains in the forest. Uncut. Undecorated except with the glitter of snow and ice alight from the light of Moon or Sun. Lovely.

The story is a poem and reads very nicely with good cadence and rhyme. Love it because this method of story telling captures the child's imagination, ensures later recall, and promotes a love of poetry.

I highly recommend this as a Winter-Season book and not simply a Christmas book. Be sure you look for this one.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

[Diane D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Christmas Tree is the story of a lonesome Christmas tree with is slowly transformed into a thing of beauty. A lovely, tall board book with little lift up flaps that hide elements of nature and colorful creatures everywhere. This is not your average board book, it's special: beautiful illustrations and design - a definite keeper.

[Reshamad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hard bound lift the flap book is perfect gift for the youngest in the family. In a snowy peaceful forest the Little Christmas Tree wakes up to the chirps and noises of the forest. Blackbirds are singing and squirrels are sniffing up for food nearby. The sun shines brightly and greets the other creatures still awake in the wintery forest. Lift the flap to find the animals described on the page. Beautiful illustrations, soothing greens, reds and whites makes this a lovely read for the Christmas holidays!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lyrical verse of this lovely board book tells of a little tree waking up in the forest surrounded by woodland animals. Surprises unfold throughout Christmas day until night and snowflakes fall. This is a lift-the-flap book with at least three tabs blending into the scene on each double page spread. Illustrations are filled with sparkles and other details. The lovely rhythm of the poem put me in mind of Emily Dickinson.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a beautiful little board book with flaps to be lifted up so to reveal secret parts of the story. Beautiful winter scene with silver inlay adorns the front cover. This book has full two page winter scenes with short sentences and lovely extras laying out an adorable story. The silver inlay is carried throughout the book with ice on trees and snowflakes that fall.

This book would make a lovely gift and something mommy and little one would enjoy reading together.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney-Tickle. INTERACTIVE BOARD BOOK. Big Picture Press (Candlewick), 2018. $16. 9781536203110

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Courtney-Tickle tells the story of a sparkling fir tree in the forest on a snowy day. Each page has 2-4 flaps to find a lift.

I was kind of lost wondering why the author calls it a Christmas tree. Also some of the flaps obscure characters in the poem, while others just have random items behind them. Six page spreads all together – it’s okay, but not great.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t so much a Christmas book in the sense that there weren’t any ornaments or star atop the tree. Instead, it’s about an evergreen tree in the forest and all the woodland animals that find shelter near it. The snowy atmosphere was beautifully illustrated and the flaps should have engaged Elliot as they usually do, but he just wasn’t too interested in this one and I’m not sure why. We will try again next year.

*Read at 2 years old

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lift-the-flap book about the forest in winter. Told in rhyme. It really didn't need to be Christmas, specifically. Other than the word Christmas, this could have easily been a nondenominational winter book.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty to look at, but not very practical. Many of the flaps are quite small and don't seem sturdy enough to withstand multiple readings with a toddler.

[Read with Rose and Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! We loved the lift-the-flaps (a few on each page) and the story is beautifully illustrated. Brief but beautiful.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Amy Sinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book! The text is simple and the illustrations are gorgeous. Loved it!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has pull open flaps that kids love to open.

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute lift-the-flap book with lots of animals.

[Ruxanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro bellissimo,colorato, disegni accattivanti, interattivo con le alette che si spostano rilevando piante, animaletti e colori . Molto carino ed interessante.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun lift the flaps.