The Christmas Pine - Ages 2+

Follow a Christmas tree from its early days growing in a wood to the moment it stands proudly in the city square. A Christmas classic in the making!

Once upon a time I stood

With brothers and sisters in a wood.

The old trees told me I had grown

From a tiny seed inside a cone.

Follow the journey of a pine tree, from a young sapling to a soaring tree in the forest, before it is cut and transported to London’s Trafalgar Square. Here the pine tree becomes a Christmas Tree, shining in all its glory, surrounded by friendly faces and children singing. Next year a new tree will experience the same magical journey.

Julia Donaldson originally wrote this story as a poem, commissioned by The Poetry Society to celebrate the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. The tree is an annual gift from Norway in thanks for the support given by the British during the Second World War.

Julia Donaldson is an internationally bestselling author and no story-time is complete without her perfect read-aloud rhymes. Julia is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including many modern classics illustrated by Axel Scheffler: The Gruffalo, Zog, Stick Man and Superworm – all of which have been made into award-winning animated films by Magic Light Pictures. Julia also writes fiction, poems, plays and songs – as well as performing brilliant live shows. Julia was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011-13, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and in 2019 was honoured with an CBE for services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland.