The Little Fir Tree Is a tale first told by Hans Christian Andersen
This reworking of the story is the unmistakable work of Christopher Corr
His artwork is instantly recognisable
Brightly coloured And folktale inspired
In this story of the circle of life
There is a strong message of being thankful for what you have
Appreciating where you are And taking time to enjoy the world around you
A message for us all to heed as the world gets busy again
And we rush headlong into the silly season
“Deep in the forest,There lived a beautiful little fir tree.”
The fir tree is unhappy with his lot. He wants to be big like the other trees in the forest. He does not want to be pretty and sweet. He wants to go where the big trees go.
The big trees are chopped down to become timber for houses and ships, when the lumberjacks come for the little fir tree he is taken to a grand house and placed in a beautiful room.
He is to be a Christmas Tree.
The proud tree loves being dressed for Christmas and enjoys all of the festivities, songs and dancing and stories.
Once the decorations have disappeared the little fir tree reflects on all that has happened and cannot wait for it all to begin again tomorrow. But the next day he is taken to the shed where he is left, abandoned and forgotten.
The little fir tree does not understand. He longs for the forest where he was born and misses all his animal friends who were so kind to him. He wishes that he had appreciated the forest more when he had been there. He realises how lucky he was and dreams of returning to the trees.
One day he is discovered by an old friend and then rediscovered by the children who loved him so much at Christmas. As the children decorate him again, this time with flowers and leaves the little fir tree is happy again, back in nature where he belongs.
And in the forest where our story started, a new tale is beginning
“…out of the ground
Where the squirrel kept his larder …
… there grew a new beautiful little fir tree.”
This is such a lovely story, perfect for the festive season and this particular retelling published by Quarto Kids is accompanied by the vivid artwork of Christoper Corr.
We were sent a copy of the book for the purpose of this review