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Christmas Farm
When Wilma decides that her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become Christmas trees.
This companion to the award-winning Pumpkins: A Story for a Field is a lyrical, behind-the-scenes look at the intricate lives of Christmas trees.
Includes an author’s note about the history and cultivation of Christmas trees.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Mary Lyn Ray
31 books36 followersMary Lyn Ray is a conservationist and author of several picture books for children. She was born in Louisiana in 1946 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ray has lived in New England since 1964, when she first came east to attend college. She currently lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in South Danbury, New Hampshire, which she restored herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 13, 2023
Want to read about how to grow trees on a farm? Wilma and her neighbor Parker will show you in this heartwarming picture book. When sixty-two dozen (744) balsam seedlings are delivered, they are five years-old, just like Parker. He helps Wilma plant, weed, water, and watch through the years. Each winter, they lose a few, but when they were all ten the trees could be tagged and purchased for people to enjoy in their homes. I loved this behind the scenes view and the extra history info included. If your family goes to a tree farm to get your tree next year, this would be a great book to read first.
December 21, 2018
What does it take to grow all those Christmas trees? This story is about a woman who has a Christmas tree farm. They care for the trees over 5 years and then they sell them to the public. Many of the trees are lost to deer, moose and weather, but the majority survive.
I actually enjoyed this story quite a bit, but it is a patient story over a long period of time. I don’t think it’s for impatient readers who want something to happen. I am a patient reader and I enjoyed the smooth and even pace.
The kids were ready for something to happen and then when the trees were being sold that wasn’t much pay off for them. They wanted more. They both gave the book 2 stars. They were a little bored by the story. So know your kids people. If they like adventure and excitement, this is not the story for them.
I actually enjoyed this story quite a bit, but it is a patient story over a long period of time. I don’t think it’s for impatient readers who want something to happen. I am a patient reader and I enjoyed the smooth and even pace.
The kids were ready for something to happen and then when the trees were being sold that wasn’t much pay off for them. They wanted more. They both gave the book 2 stars. They were a little bored by the story. So know your kids people. If they like adventure and excitement, this is not the story for them.
November 16, 2018
Absolutely and utterly magical (and also while indeed fictional, still patently realistic feeling and sounding) is Mary Lynn Ray's Christmas Farm, the sweet account of how one woman (Wilma) decides to purchase seven hundred and forty four seedling balsam firs to plant and raise as Christmas trees (with the help of her young neighbour friend Parker, who at the beginning of Christmas Farm is but five years of age) and how after ten long years of waiting, of tending their planted trees, five hundred and ninety seven of the original conifers planted still remain and are now mature enough to be harvested and sold as Christmas trees, as naturally grown and raised Christmas trees.
A wonderful marriage of Mary Lynn Ray's intricate but still simple enough narrative and Barry Root's colourful and evocatively descriptive images, Christmas Farm presents both a glowing homage and compliment to not only hard work but also to conservation and natural, pesticide free farming (for even though during the ten years that Wilma and Parker have worked on and with their Christmas trees to be, they might have lost about one hundred and fifty of them to weather, deer, mice etc. they still have almost six hundred of them to sell, and indeed have managed to successfully raise their planted balsam firs from seedlings, and naturally, with conservation in mind, with no pesticides and the like).
And while Christmas Farm is of course and first and foremost a story about tree farming, conservation and indeed and of course, about Christmas and Christmas trees, it is also a very good math and counting tale (not so much for very young children, but for older children, there is ample opportunity to use the numbers presented within the pages of Christmas Farm to practice higher level addition and subtraction of larger numbers). Highly recommended and for me definitely a five star book (and even though Christmas Farm is specifically about Wilma and Parker raising balsam firs as Christmas trees, there is nothing actually all that religious about Christmas Farm and thus this is a book that I for one do consider for all intents and purposes pretty much secular, with the author's note, with Mary Lynn Ray's information on the history of Christmas trees in the USA being like the icing on the cake for me).
A wonderful marriage of Mary Lynn Ray's intricate but still simple enough narrative and Barry Root's colourful and evocatively descriptive images, Christmas Farm presents both a glowing homage and compliment to not only hard work but also to conservation and natural, pesticide free farming (for even though during the ten years that Wilma and Parker have worked on and with their Christmas trees to be, they might have lost about one hundred and fifty of them to weather, deer, mice etc. they still have almost six hundred of them to sell, and indeed have managed to successfully raise their planted balsam firs from seedlings, and naturally, with conservation in mind, with no pesticides and the like).
And while Christmas Farm is of course and first and foremost a story about tree farming, conservation and indeed and of course, about Christmas and Christmas trees, it is also a very good math and counting tale (not so much for very young children, but for older children, there is ample opportunity to use the numbers presented within the pages of Christmas Farm to practice higher level addition and subtraction of larger numbers). Highly recommended and for me definitely a five star book (and even though Christmas Farm is specifically about Wilma and Parker raising balsam firs as Christmas trees, there is nothing actually all that religious about Christmas Farm and thus this is a book that I for one do consider for all intents and purposes pretty much secular, with the author's note, with Mary Lynn Ray's information on the history of Christmas trees in the USA being like the icing on the cake for me).
February 22, 2014
Loved this! A beautiful, sweet, gentle story about a tree farm. I really liked how the neighbor boy helped and learned so much. This is just so warm and cozy! Even though it is about Christmas trees it takes place across years and seasons as the seedlings grow so I could be enjoyed any time of year. I gained a new understanding and appreciation for real Christmas trees. Illustrations are lovely, too.
March 2, 2019
I like this better as a fable about growth, and as a story of an inter-generational friendship, than as a straight story about a tree farm. Despite what the author's note says, I'm not convinced a tree farm is good for wildlife. Of course, plastic trees aren't, either, and many people don't have yards where they can grow a tree. Anyway, it's mostly a lovely story and the illustrations suit.
January 11, 2019
Author Mary Lyn Ray and illustrator Barry Root, who previously collaborated on
Pumpkins: A Story for a Field
and
Alvah and Arvilla
, join forces again in Christmas Farm. When Wilma decides she wants to try something different with her garden, the idea of Christmas trees comes to her. Enlisting the help of Parker, her young neighbor, she plants sixty-two dozen (744) balsam trees. She and Parker care for the trees, over the coming years, and although they lose some to frost, and to wild animals, they manage to sell 566 trees their first year...
I'm glad that my goodreads friend Manybooks recommended this one to me - thank you! - as I might not have picked it up on my own, given my mixed feelings about this author/illustrator team's Pumpkins: A Story for a Field . That would have been a shame, as Christmas Farm is an appealing holiday picture-book, pairing an engaging slice-of-(country)life tale with lovely artwork. I appreciated the inclusion of a brief author's afterword, where Ray discusses the history of the Christmas tree, and its cultivation as a commercial crop in the United States. All in all, a sweet little book, one I would recommend to all young Christmas tree-lovers, as well as to those looking for children's stories featuring basic business and/or conservation concepts.
I'm glad that my goodreads friend Manybooks recommended this one to me - thank you! - as I might not have picked it up on my own, given my mixed feelings about this author/illustrator team's Pumpkins: A Story for a Field . That would have been a shame, as Christmas Farm is an appealing holiday picture-book, pairing an engaging slice-of-(country)life tale with lovely artwork. I appreciated the inclusion of a brief author's afterword, where Ray discusses the history of the Christmas tree, and its cultivation as a commercial crop in the United States. All in all, a sweet little book, one I would recommend to all young Christmas tree-lovers, as well as to those looking for children's stories featuring basic business and/or conservation concepts.
December 4, 2011
I read this book aloud to my children.
The story is about a woman named Wilma who loves to garden but wants something more of a challenge than the same old petunias and sunflowers. While chopping down a tree (I love this independent woman!) in the forest on her property, she realizes that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to grow their own Christmas trees. And so her plan begins to grow a Christmas tree farm.
With the help of the five-year old boy next door, she measures the rows, digs the holes, and plants the seedlings. Parker continues to help Wilma over the years watching the seedlings grow more each year, and he learns it takes a lot of work to ensure that the seedlings survive! Not all of them do, and some are lost each year to wildlife and the inclement weather. With careful nurturing, the majority of the trees survive. After five years' growth, they are ready to be sold as Christmas trees!
This is a feel-good Christmas story! Parker learns the value of hard work, and Wilma and Parker both are filled with joy knowing that their Christmas trees are bringing smiles to the faces of young and old alike.
Ray includes additional information at the end of the book about the history of Christmas trees, which we found very interesting!
We all loved this book, and it is a great addition to your seasonal reading!
MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it!!
The story is about a woman named Wilma who loves to garden but wants something more of a challenge than the same old petunias and sunflowers. While chopping down a tree (I love this independent woman!) in the forest on her property, she realizes that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to grow their own Christmas trees. And so her plan begins to grow a Christmas tree farm.
With the help of the five-year old boy next door, she measures the rows, digs the holes, and plants the seedlings. Parker continues to help Wilma over the years watching the seedlings grow more each year, and he learns it takes a lot of work to ensure that the seedlings survive! Not all of them do, and some are lost each year to wildlife and the inclement weather. With careful nurturing, the majority of the trees survive. After five years' growth, they are ready to be sold as Christmas trees!
This is a feel-good Christmas story! Parker learns the value of hard work, and Wilma and Parker both are filled with joy knowing that their Christmas trees are bringing smiles to the faces of young and old alike.
Ray includes additional information at the end of the book about the history of Christmas trees, which we found very interesting!
We all loved this book, and it is a great addition to your seasonal reading!
MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it!!
November 9, 2018
I'm a sucker for anything related to snow, Christmas trees and farms, so this book had a great start already. But it's she story of the woman and the little neighbor boy that I really loved. Very heartwarming.
The pictures are very beautiful too.
The pictures are very beautiful too.
February 20, 2018
This is a wonderful book! The partnership of young and "Old" working together is heart warming. I gave this book to my nephew, who now has a family of 6 children and 1 cat, for Christmas, along with an ornament of a station wagon with a tree attached to the top.
Every year he, his wife, and kids chop down a Christmas Tree just like his Dad, mom, brother and he did for so many years. We on the other hand lived in Brooklyn and bought our trees at Christmas Tree pop-ups in empty lots.
It's lovely to read a behind the scenes story of our Christmas Trees whether we chop them down on a farm, or buy them already cut.
Every year he, his wife, and kids chop down a Christmas Tree just like his Dad, mom, brother and he did for so many years. We on the other hand lived in Brooklyn and bought our trees at Christmas Tree pop-ups in empty lots.
It's lovely to read a behind the scenes story of our Christmas Trees whether we chop them down on a farm, or buy them already cut.
February 2, 2018
Loved this! The warmth and cadence of the writing style reminded me of Cynthia Rylant. And the watercolor/gouache illustrations were the perfect accompaniment. Made me dream of writing my own Christmas tree farm story. :)
December 16, 2018
This is a very simple story of how Christmas trees are grown. While I liked the bond between the old lady and her neighbor, the story was rather boring. What kinds of things does Peter tell the trees? The illustrations are a bit abstract and don't really do anything for me. This book includes a history of Christmas tree farms in the United States.
November 16, 2018
This is such a darling book. The story is sweet, and the illustrations wonderful.
December 9, 2013
A wonderful story of patience and dedication. After years of tending a garden of flowers, Wilma decides to try her green thumb at growing Christmas trees and recruits young Parker to help her. As Parker grows, the young trees grow, too. Some are lost each year--to Moose nibbling on their branches, to mice and deer munching on them, to ice. But they still have fifty dozen when the trees are mature enough to sell. With the trees, they spread Christmas cheer: "Far away, too, in rooms they never saw, in places they never knew, five hundred and sixty-six trees that Wilma and Parker had grown wore lights and balls and tinsel in their branches..."
A great read-aloud for gr. 2-3 to get children in the spirit of the season, as a lesson on giving and receiving, for instance. I also saw the potential for a math connection attached to the subtraction of trees each year. A problem could be devised around how many trees were lost to natural causes, to animals, etc. for the years, which also brings in science concepts.
Highly recommended!
A great read-aloud for gr. 2-3 to get children in the spirit of the season, as a lesson on giving and receiving, for instance. I also saw the potential for a math connection attached to the subtraction of trees each year. A problem could be devised around how many trees were lost to natural causes, to animals, etc. for the years, which also brings in science concepts.
Highly recommended!
November 16, 2022
There's a lot of love and care that goes into a Christmas Tree Farm!
This delightful book follows Wilma and her little neighbor friend, Parker, as they tend to a tree farm and watch their trees grow. And the illustrations are as picturesque as holiday cards!
Share the story of a tree with your children!
Ages: 4 - 9
Cleanliness: mentions Halloween and jack-o-lanterns.
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This delightful book follows Wilma and her little neighbor friend, Parker, as they tend to a tree farm and watch their trees grow. And the illustrations are as picturesque as holiday cards!
Share the story of a tree with your children!
Ages: 4 - 9
Cleanliness: mentions Halloween and jack-o-lanterns.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
June 23, 2017
In this story, Wilma decides to plant something other than sunflowers. She has a lovely hill in which she selects her Christmas tree each year, but wonders how others get their trees if they don't have a hill like hers. So, she decides to plant Christmas trees.
The story follows the process of planting, nurturing, and trimming the trees to sell. Many trees are lost to animals and weather, but that's the reason why tree farms plant so many every year. Also, trees take a long time to grow, seven years on average, so it takes a lot of hard work to follow a tree from a seedling into one that's available to sell.
I enjoyed this book because I have worked on a Christmas tree farm since I was a young child. This book is realistic in its methods, which is great for young readers to hear and see. I also like that the author made it into a story and not just an informational book. It was much easier to read and follow with my early elementary school children as opposed to a how-to book.
The story follows the process of planting, nurturing, and trimming the trees to sell. Many trees are lost to animals and weather, but that's the reason why tree farms plant so many every year. Also, trees take a long time to grow, seven years on average, so it takes a lot of hard work to follow a tree from a seedling into one that's available to sell.
I enjoyed this book because I have worked on a Christmas tree farm since I was a young child. This book is realistic in its methods, which is great for young readers to hear and see. I also like that the author made it into a story and not just an informational book. It was much easier to read and follow with my early elementary school children as opposed to a how-to book.
December 30, 2019
Oh, how I love this book. It's a new favorite. The illustrations are enchanting and the story of an older woman planting Christmas trees with the help of her young neighbor is beautiful. I never knew it took that many years to harvest Christmas trees. Now, in addition to my dream of one day owning a farm with an orchard and a pumpkin patch, I want to add Christmas trees. Just lovely. Every fall, I let my kids pick two books to buy from the book fair. This one was my special treat for myself. :)
November 4, 2016
This was a wonderfully written story that explains in a story way of how Christmas trees are 'born' and how long it takes one to grow until you can cut it and use it. An elderly lady sets out to do something more with her land other than her sunflowers. and with the help of the little boy next door they take the tree saplings and plant them, take care of them and as the seasons change the story follows the care of the two with the trees. Wonderful story of friendship between the elderly lady and the little boy, and story of Christmas trees.
December 1, 2014
Beautiful story of nature, friendship, patience and perseverance. I love the inter generational relationship. Well written and beautifully illustrated. My 6 year old pulled out the calculator to see exactly how many trees they lost each winter. An unexpected math adventure, with her clutching the calculator in anticipation for the next season.
October 7, 2017
Love this new addition to my children Christmas picture books. A great story of a woman and a little boy who lived next door, growing Christmas trees out in the country. Love Wilma and Parker. As the trees develop and grow so does Parker. A lovely Christmas tale.
December 7, 2017
This book really captured my imagination. I love the unlikely friendship it contains, the things it teaches me about the growth and time and trees, the beautiful illustrations, and the sense of anticipation it cultivates for Christmas
December 13, 2017
To me this is less a Christmas story and more a story about entrepreneurship, friendship and hard work. I think my 6 yr old really liked that the boy was 5 when the story started so she could imagine herself in his shoes.
January 6, 2013
The story itself gives young readers a feel for how long it takes to raise this crop. The additional information was educational regarding the relatively brief history of trees as an industry.
October 9, 2014
An utterly delightful children's read that put a smile on my face :)
December 19, 2016
Great drawings, fun story, and accurate.
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February 7, 2017Lovely illustrated book about the life cycle of Christmas trees. A sweet seasonal read for young children.
December 10, 2017
A very sweet book about a woman who has her young neighbor start and care for a Christmas tree farm. Read aloud to my 5 year old daughter we both found it enjoyable
November 19, 2022
Cute, but not what I expected (I was imagining the winter rhythms of farm life and not just a story about someone planting a tree farm).
December 23, 2023
Sweet story about a woman who starts a Christmas tree farm and her young neighbor boy who helps.
January 23, 2025
What a beautiful story of an intergenerational friendship and tasks full of patience and care!
January 4, 2026
This absolutely made me want to move to NH and start a Christmas tree farm. Love, love, love!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews