A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the
ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an
enormous oak tree!

As the centuries sweep
by, children play games around the tree. Families
dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow
trunk!

The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals,
from...

A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the
ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an
enormous oak tree!

As the centuries sweep
by, children play games around the tree. Families
dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow
trunk!

The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals,
from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles.

After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm
- but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins
all over again.

• The tree's magical life story is brought to life in Julia
  Donaldson's rich, dramatic rhyme.


• Victoria Sandøy's gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations
  perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the
  people and wildlife that pass by


• Children will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures,
  and seeing the games children play around the tree


• This is a book that encourages us all to look more closely
  at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient
  trees.


• The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating
  facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.



• Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson
  and Victoria Sandøy: "Magical . . . as well as paying
  tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures
  illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the
  power of children and song"

Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children's
books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services
to literature, and is the most celebrated children's writer in Britain
today.

Many of Julia Donaldson's beloved picture books have been made
into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the
BBC at Christmas.