What Makes The Tree a Holiday Classic After 10 Years
Time flies when you’re having fun, so I was surprised to notice that one of the books I illustrated turned ten years old. The Tree (2015) by Sandy Barton and A. T. Baron is a picture book about three animal friends—Rabbit, Mouse, and Chickadee—who discover a discarded Christmas tree and the joy and magic it brings them.
The book teaches children about patience, hope, friendship, and the changing seasons. Although it’s listed for ages 6-8, reviewers say it is suitable for ages 3-7 due to its gentle, engaging style.
Authors: Sandy Barton (writer), A. T Baron (illustrator)
Age Range: 6–8 years
Themes: Patience, hope, friendship, holidays, shared traditions
Format: Paperback picture book
Publication: 2015
Source: Amazon
The Tree (2015) on Amazon (affiliate link)
Sandy and I recently met up at a local coffee shop to catch up and celebrate the book and the passage of time. When we began our project so many years ago, she was eager to see her story come to life. Inspired by a bunny that made a home in one of her trees, she wanted the illustrations to be soft and the animals to look realistic, with the whimsy of cartoon characters. I love to draw animals, so this job was right up my alley.
What The Tree Is About
The story follows three curious animal friends—a furry and feathery trio—who live outside near a cozy yellow house. They peer through the window at a dazzling Christmas tree inside. Days later, they find it suddenly appears outdoors—the discarded tree, adorned with a few sparkling decorations and ornaments.
From the animals’ innocent perspective, this tree becomes a source of fascination and fun until it’s hauled off in a garbage truck. The animals must wait, season after season, with hope that the next winter will bring them another Christmas tree to enjoy.
Writing and Genre
The holiday-themed animal adventure unfolds over days and seasons, told in lyrical prose. Barton draws on her experience as an elementary school teacher to use phrasing that builds anticipation, encouraging young readers to predict what happens next. She crafted a simple, relatable tale that sparks imagination and discussion about the values I mentioned above, as well as the joy of shared traditions, feelings, and simple pleasures.
Illustrations and Visual Style
The illustrations are warm and tactile, with soft, inviting images of the animals and the festive scenes. I aimed to portray the cozy glow of the holiday setting against a snowy outdoor backdrop, while blending the author’s wish of whimsy with realism. I drew upon my wildlife experience to capture the animals in various activities and add my own touch of whimsy to give them character.
A lot has happened since we published this book. We have both been busy writing and sharing our works.
Sandy Barton’s books cover a wide range of topics and appeal to readers of all ages. She is best known for her Leprechaun Adventure Series (e.g., Discovery in the Woods, Room for One More), but The Tree stands out as her delightful foray into holiday storytelling. Other works, such as The First Summer, explore themes of grief, showcasing her range in children’s literature.
The holidays are just around the corner, and books make fabulous gifts, especially for young readers. The Tree is a cozy, enchanting holiday picture book that captures the magic of Christmas through wide-eyed animal friends, making it a timeless addition to winter reading lists.
