Paper shapes. Funny cries. Spicy cakes. Fruit mince pies. And the oddest, strangest thing of all - a tree. A felled tree, no less - from the forest, in the living room, plonked in a pot.
What on earth can we do with a potted tree?
Told with the effulgent joy Jackie French does so well, kids will delight in the Big Reveal of this glamorous tree - all narrated in gorgeous rhyme, through the eyes of the Queen's royal pooch.
Queen Victoria loved the German Christmas tree (of course, her beloved husband, Prince Albert, was German), and many attribute the popularity rise of a decorated festive tree to this annual royal tradition.
In 1848, the Illustrated London News published a drawing of the royal family celebrating Christmas around a decorated tree and very soon every home in Britain was bedazzling a tree with all manner of baubles and gifts.
Whatley's timeless illustrations yet again perfectly emulate a glorious text that celebrates the marvels and joy and great expectation of Christmas. With a tinsel-like sprinkling of history, this makes for a truly beautiful Christmas book. A stocking-stuffer must.
Title: Queen Victoria's Christmas
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Publisher: HarperCollins, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 October 2012
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780732293574
For ages: 3 - 10
Type: Picture Book
