Pick a Pine Tree

Description

Pick a pine tree from the lot - slim and tall, or short and squat! Long straight limbs or branches bent - Mmm! Just smell that piney scent! From Alan's Big, Scary Teeth creator, Jarvis, and author Patty Toht, comes a beautiful, irresistible Christmas gift book that all begins with ... picking a pine tree! Brimming over with the excitement of being with family at the festive season, a gorgeously rhythmical narrative accompanied by warm, joyful art celebrates all the familiar rituals of decorating the tree - from digging out jam-packed boxes of trimmings, stringing tinsel, to, at last, turning on those twinkly fairy lights.

Patty Toht once owned a children's bookshop called Never Never Land, before turning a love of books into a love of writing. She is the author Daily Life In Ancient And Modern Moscow and has contributed fiction, non-fiction and poetry to numerous children's magazines. Pick a Pine Tree is her debut picture book. She lives in Chicago, USA. Jarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as both a record sleeve designer and an animation director before becoming a children's book illustrator. His picture books include Mrs Mole, I'm Home! and Alan's Big, Scary Teeth, about which The New York Times said, "The witty Jarvis makes all the right moves". Jarvis lives in Manchester with his wife and their cat. Find him on Twitter as @heyimjarvis.

"The short, rhyming text has a bouncy, appealing tone, with four brief lines of text per page. Delightful mixed-media illustrations use a flattened perspective, simple shapes, and glowing, light-filled backgrounds for a fresh take on the tree-decorating tradition. The illustrations are all in double-page-spread format with compositions that will work well for reading to a group or with just one child in a lap. Pick this delightful story for a Christmas storytime, for library collections, or for family reading around the Christmas tree." * Kirkus * "Stunning illustrations complement a beautiful narrative celebrating the rituals of decorating the tree; a classic to revisit every Christmas." * Baby Hampshire * "[...] gorgeous picture book. Writer Patricia Toht and award-winning illustrator Jarvis capture the spirit of the season [...] The slow-paced rhyme and retro look of the artwork makes this feel as familiar and comforting as a pair of old socks. A future family classic that you'll want to reread every year." * Gurgle * "The book is just perfect for this time of year [...]I would defiantly recommend this book as it made me feel the joy that comes with the thought of Christmas" * Thenextbestthingtomummy.com * "Festive cheer fuels this bouncy rhyming text as it celebrates the excitement of getting and decorating the tree for Christmas. From choosing the right pine tree, decorating it with lights and baubles in an atmosphere of friendship and sharing and finally transforming it a Christmas tree for all to enjoy, all the magic of Christmas is gathered in these words and pictures." * Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month, November Picture Book of the Month, LoveReading * "Anticipation builds throughout this rhyming, ritual account of choosing and bedecking a tree. Everyone in the blocky, soft-glowing images is beaming, from people to pets to plump Santa ornaments; by the end of the book, readers will be, too." * The Guardian * "[...] delightful [...] The evocative book ends with a sparkling switch-on of the lights that will make every heart soar, while the illustrations by Jarvis have a magically retro feel." * Junior Magazine * "[...] a sprightly, unashamedly Christmassy picture book [...] The book has an unstrained, jaunty feel that will appeal to young children and get them into the mood for transformation" * The Observer * "The rhyming text is brimming with energy" * Daily Mail * "If you're going to pick a Christmas themed book this season, you'll struggle to find one more festively atmospheric than Pick a Pine Tree [...] this is a comforting book whose illustrations seem to conjure up the smells, sounds and feelings of Christmas. One spread crackles with the chill of winter air." * The Herald * "It's gorgeous. [...] Jarvis's illustrations adorn the beautifully thick, matte pages. Each double page spread conveys the festive excitement bubbling over as the tree takes shape - adding lights, hanging trinkets and choosing what to put on the top. With friends and family joining in, it's a wonderfully chaotic atmosphere full of cheer." * My Book Corner blog * "Full of cosy Christmas cheer, Pick a Pine Tree is a beautiful rhyming story about the excitement of choosing a tree for the holiday season. Jarvis' illustrations are warm and engaging, and you can just about smell the fresh pine tree that the family brings hope. Patricia Toht's rhyme glides through the pages and evokes all the joy of traditional Christmas decorating from putting the star on top of the tree to placing the presents underneath. This is a lovely story for all the family to share at Christmas. * The Scotsman *