The Queen and the First Christmas Tree: Queen Charlotte's Gift to England

by Nancy Churnin, Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)

Overview

Queen Charlotte brought her family's festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn't enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, making it the first known Christmas Tree in England. This story tells a little known fact about a favorite holiday tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807566367
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	10/01/2018
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	317,133
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nancy Churnin is the award-winning author of multiple picture book biographies. The former theater critic for the Dallas Morning News and Los Angeles Times San Diego Edition, she's now a full-time writer and peace negotiator between her dog and cats.

Luisa Uribe is an illustrator and designer of children’s media. She loves books most of all but has also worked in animation and TV. She has a MA in art and design from the University of Loughborough and lives in Bogotá, Colombia.

Editorial Reviews

"A nice introduction to the origins of a cherished tradition for many."—Kirkus Reviews


"This piece of history reads like a story, and the charming pictures add to the fairy-tale feel ...a worthy addition to Christmas shelves."—Booklist


"This lighthearted narrative is paired with textured, colorful, and palette-perfect drawings to tell of a generous queen and the beginning of one of the most cherished Christmas traditions."—Foreword Reviews


"Can teach young students about the origin of the Christmas tree as well as biographical information about this nature-loving monarch."—School Library Journal


"The approachable text emphasizes Charlotte's generosity, concern for children’s welfare, and lifelong love of nature. Soft-lined illustrations in a muted palette portray a humble and relatable queen who is happiest amidst children or in her gardens."—Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

2018-08-20

A German-born princess uses her memories of home to create an English Christmas tradition.

Born into royalty in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1744, Princess Charlotte prefers being outdoors to going to balls. She loves trees, and at Christmas, she always brings a yew branch indoors to decorate. A marriage proposal from King George III of England means leaving her home at the age of 17. Lonely and not speaking a word of English, she relies on the precious things she brought along, including a yew branch. "With this, she could make magic in her new home." In 1800, having borne 15 children of her own, she holds a Christmas party for 100 children to ring in the new century, decking the halls with a large tree from the palace grounds. Simple prose and light watercolors keep this retelling of historical events within the understanding of children who like a good princess story. The book's creators don't shy away from including some children of color among white ones—this was, after all, during the time of slavery—but the text leaves some doubt about how, exactly, they fit into the group of "children at court." An afterword provides context to the queen's life and times, including the information that she was an abolitionist.

A nice introduction to the origins of a cherished tradition for many. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

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