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Author: Donaldson, Julia, Sandøy, Victoria

Reading age: from c 3 years

Published on 1 August 2024 by Scholastic (Alison Green Books) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 32 pages
280 x 225 x 5 | 188g

 

Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent

tree!

A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the

ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an

enormous oak tree! As the centuries sweep

by, children play games around the tree. Families

dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow

trunk!

The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals,

from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles.

After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm

– but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins

all over again.

The tree’s magical life story is brought to life in Julia

Donaldson’s rich, dramatic rhyme.

Victoria Sandøy’s gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations

perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the

people and wildlife that pass by

Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures,

and seeing the games children play around the tree

This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely

at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient

trees.

The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating

facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.

Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson

and Victoria Sandøy: ‘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’

Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children’s

books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services

to literature, and is the most celebrated children’s writer in Britain

today.

Many of Julia Donaldson’s beloved picture books have been made

into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the

BBC at Christmas.