Published by Big Picture Press, 2016.

Little Christmas Tree is a gorgeous foiled board book, full of wintry sparkle. One of the reasons that this lovely book stands out is that it’s a Christmas book which doesn’t mention Santa or presents. Instead its focus is a winter’s day in the forest. The little Christmas tree, whose branches glisten with silver, features on every page. Different woodland animals scamper and fly across the forest, among them a greenfinch, a robin, a squirrel and a fox. We also learn the names of winter plants: mistletoe, ivy and fir cone. As the day passes, we see the changing light and watch as the weather changes too.

It’s a lift-the-flap book and there are three or four flaps on each double page. They are really well hidden and we didn’t spot them all on our first reading. I also like how the flaps are shaped; the zigzag and contoured edges are wonderfully tactile.

Jessica Courtney-Tickle’s illustrations are beautiful. She has created a magical wintry wonderland with snow-laden branches, bright red berries, shimmering snowflakes and a frozen pond. Her rhyming text is fun to read aloud. This is a great book to snuggle up together with on a winter’s day.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 2+

Thank you to Big Picture Press for sending me this book to review.