15+ Favorite Books about Christmas Trees

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
The moment this gorgeous picture book was released, it shot to the top of my list of favorite Christmas books. With retro illustrations, it follows the whole series of events that constitutes putting up the Christmas tree until that magical moment when you turn on the lights and stand back to soak in the wonder of the season.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
Red and Lulu are a pair of cardinals that live in a spectacular evergreen. It’s the perfect home until one day it’s cut down and the two birds are separated. But a Christmas miracle reunites them at Rockefeller Center where the tree has traveled to become the most iconic Christmas tree in the world. A perfect Christmas tree story!

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Mr Willowby is THRILLED when his big Christmas tree arrives for the holidays. But there’s just one problem – it a tiny bit too tall. A quick bit of trimming and it’s perfect, plus the top can get handed off as a smaller tree for someone else. As the top of the tree is handed down, it keeps getting trimmed down, making a tree for another holiday home, including plenty of animals!

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
Ruthie and her family live in an Appalachian Valley where, each year, a different family offers to provide a Christmas tree for the church. This year, Ruthie’s family is responsible and Ruthie and her father ride into the mountains and mark the perfect tree. But by the time winter comes, Ruthie’s father has been called away to war. Despite offers from the preacher for another family to take over the responsibility, Ruthie’s mother is determined that they will do as they promised.

A Little Christmas Tree by Anthony Merrill and Michael Bast, illustrated by Dan Burr
High on a mountain top, Little Tree longs to be a Christmas tree. For years, he’s passed over as he grows, but finally he’s selected and taken down to town. But on the way, a bump breaks one of his branches and it looks like his dream of being a Christmas tree for a family is gone forever. After all, who would want a broken Christmas tree?

Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Barry Root
Wilma decides that her garden is ready for a change, so she plants 62 fir seedlings with her young neighbor working alongside her. For years, they care for those little trees until finally they grow into full-fledged Christmas trees.

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
During the Great Depression, eight-year-old Henry and his father sell Christmas trees and as the season draws to a close, they give one of their remaining trees to the construction workers who are building Rockefeller Center. Thanks to those kind workers, Henry’s wish for a real home comes true and he plants one of the pinecones from that Christmas tree in the yard. Decades later, the pinecone has grown into an enormous tree and he donates it to the Rockeller Center for the annual Christmas tree.

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrated by Tim Jonke
I grew up with this beautiful Christmas tree story about three magnificent trees growing on a mountain, each dreaming of what they will become. And one by one, they are cut down and used for a purpose that seems very different from their original dreams. I love this story that follows Jesus Christ’s life from birth to death.

The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Victoria Sandoy
We are big fans of Julia Donaldson at our house, and this new Christmas book is a wonderful addition to our Christmas book collection. It is inspired by the annual journey of London’s Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree from the woods to the bright and shining city square where it brings joy and the spirit of Christmas to all who see it and it makes me want to go back to London IMMEDIATELY.

The Biggest Little Boy by Poppy Harlow, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Luca loves all things BIG. And the biggest big thing he wants? A big (make that HUGE) Christmas tree. But as he goes out hunting for that biggest Christmas tree, he might discover that what matters more than outward size is having a big heart.

Everybody’s Tree by Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Renée Graef
A little boy first plants a tiny spruce tree in his front yard. As the little boy grows up, so does the tree and his children and then grandchildren all grow up around it. After 80 years, it’s time for the tree to come down and it becomes a tree for everyone in the city center to enjoy together. I LOVE the sweet illustrations in this one.

The Little Owl & the Big Tree by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter
This gorgeous new Christmas picture book is based on a true story about a little owl who lived in a tree that was selected to be the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. And when she finds herself in New York City, she is going to have to figure out how to make a new home for herself.

The Tree That’s Meant to Be by Yuval Zommer.
A little tree wants desperately to be chosen as a Christmas tree, but he’s a little misshapen and no one seems to want him. But on Christmas Eve, a group of forest animals discover him and make him into a gorgeous little Christmas tree.



  

The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Paola Zakimi.
A little tree is out on the edge of the woods right near the train tracks and loves hearing the trains roar by. When she’s chosen as a Christmas tree, she mourns the loss of her beloved trains, until Christmas morning when a surprise awaits both her and the little boy in the home.

The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy and Emily Sutton. 
When a little fir tree gets blown over in the early days of its life and its growth is stunted, the little tree is sure it will never become a great Christmas tree like his neighbors. And yet, there might be a surprise waiting for him as Christmas approaches.

The Finest Christmas Tree by John and Ann Hassett.
When Farmer Tuttle’s Christmas tree business starts to go downhill, thanks to the rise of artificial trees, he and his wife consider selling the farm. But then they get a letter asking for their very finest Christmas tree. Who would want that for his holiday party?