O Christmas Tree

by Jacqueline Farmer, Joanne Friar (Illustrator)

The Christmas tree tradition has roots in many ancient cultures. Originally, it had little to do with gift-giving, reindeer, or elves. O CHRISTMAS TREE explores the history and traditions--from the tree's origins to the first tree lights and decorations--that led to how people enjoy these trees today. Also includes information about how these special evergreens are grown.

Beautiful illustrations capture the magic and festivity of the holiday season.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Holiday, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[superawesomekt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a thorough picture book explaining the history of the Christmas tree. My children like non-fiction generally, so they liked it. I liked learning about which trees are common to which regions (it was very US-centric FYI). We have another book Christmas Farm which tells the story of how they are grown and we found that one more engaging, but that is very specific to raising the trees. Overall, good for independent readers and elementary school children.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. The story tells the history of the Christmas Tree and how it came to be. I loved the descriptions of all the different pine trees. I am always a fan of the Scotch Pine. It is the fattest tree! I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of interesting information about the origins and development of the Christmas tree traditions, this book would make a nice resource for the home/classroom but it's a bit long and detailed for younger kids. The illustrations do a nice job of representing the subjects though they, like the text, are more of a presentation than a story or creative experience. Still, if you or your children are curious to know the history of the Christmas tree, from evergreen traditions of ancient Egypt and Rome, through the first "Christian" Christmas tree, up through those pink or silver Christmas trees of the '60s and even up to trees of today lit by solar power, this book is for you!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Full disclosure: I read the Ebook version of this book, but chose this version to display because it had a color picture and the e-book did not. Perhaps the hardback version is easier to read. The e-book has has very fine print. Forgive me for being skeptical, but I wonder at the number of legends at the book tells about. I have never heard of any of them. The most interesting part of the book is the last Pages, where it talks about the different kinds of fur trees that are used for Christmas trees. I recently read a Christmas novel that took place at a Christmas tree farm; so I particularly enjoyed how this book described the process of growing Christmas trees. I was quite surprised to see the number of tree farms the book says there are in the US. I would think that there are fewer and fewer as people choose the convenience of artificial trees. I don’t really see this book as a children’s book.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this wonderful book geared for children, however, I learned quite a few thing from it myself. The pictures were wonderful and so was the history of how the Christmas tree came into being. It's history and holiday tradtions around the world were commented on. In the United States, Christmas was recognized as a national holiday in 1870. Centuries before that people decorated trees with whatever they had on hand. Ornaments, of course, were hand made. This is a great book for both children and adults. The illustrator, Joanne Friar, provided excellent art work.

[Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the additional historical fun facts in addition to learning about the history of the Christmas tree!

[Candi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice history of the Christmas tree tradition.

[Tiffany May Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of nice illustrations and good information but I’d say too academic for my 6 year old, who was mostly bored to tears lol. Would be great for a school project for older kids.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎄🎄🎄🎄 Great little read about the history and the biology of a tree 🌲 great little read.

[Angel Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the origins of Christmas tree.

[Danae Mckain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew?! A fun book with great info on some of the traditions behind our Christmas trees - where they came from, types, etc.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction picture book is packed with information on the history of the Christmas tree. The timeline begins in 1300 BCE Egypt when families used palm branches to decorate their homes to celebrate winter solstice through celebrations in ancient Rome and the festival Saturnalia, to Boniface (a British missionary--the first person to note the fir tree as a symbol for the Holy Trinity) and miracle plays (16th century) and a story about Martin Luther and his own tree. When Germans brought Christmas tree traditions to the American colonies, governmental rebellion and then legalization of the role of the tree followed. American traditions gradually developed in the United States. For interested readers, there is a section that describes types of fir trees used and how they grow. The book ends with American Fun Facts. There is almost too much information to soak in during one reading, so this would be a book to use time and time again in the library, classroom, and home.

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really terrific resource for the classroom or for families interested in the history of the Christmas tree. The first half of the book traces the use of evergreens in winter solstice celebrations and how trees became associated with Christmas and even traces different decorating trends throughout the ages. The second half of the book talks about how Christmas trees are grown. Great dual topics! The writing is very accessible, the illustrations are helpful (though photographs would have been even more fascinating), and there are just enough unique facts to make this a stand-out.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock-full of information about christmas trees, and beautifully illustrated by Joanne Friar. Amazingly detailed paintings add so much to the text!

[Sameera]

cool book

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good history and science combo. Ages 6-9.

[Anna Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book about the history and facts of Christmas trees, how they're grown, various types, etc.