The After Christmas Tree is a debut picture book from Bethan Welby published by Scallywag Press
It is a delightful festive story about a little Christmas tree in January when no one is smiling at her anymore. Young Brian takes pity on the little tree and decides to take her home. He promises to look after the little tree.
The next few pages of this book are just brilliant and will be recognised by parents all over the world who have children who like to bring their outdoor treasures into the house, to the dinner table, to watch tv on the sofa, in the bath and to bed!! These brilliantly illustrated pages did make me chuckle as I can totally imagine my children doing exactly what young Brian does with the little tree. It is heartwarming, familiar and very funny.
Finally Brian concedes that the little tree really does need to be outside. He takes the tree to the garden feeling sad as he had promised her that he would take care of her.
It is snowing in the garden and Brian struggles to sleep, worrying about the tree and sad about the promise that he made her.
When finally slumbers her has a magical dream and when he wakes in the morning … well, of course, his dream has come true and his promise to the little tree has been fulfilled.
The little tree was no longer bare or lonely and everyone was smiling.
The tree stays in the garden through the year until Christmas comes again and then Brian brings the free inside for a holly jolly Christmas x
This is a book that really made me smile and feel all warm inside. The children loved Brian and his tree. And how wonderful to have a tree for life, not just for Christmas x