To Be a Christmas Tree - by Leigh Marino (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Award-Winning Children's Book from the publisher who brought you The Invisible String...To some, finding a Christmas tree is a boring chore or an old habit that comes once a year. To others, it's a magical adventure. But to each "tree" it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment, their destiny-to bring joy and enchantment to families and kids of all ages.

To Be A Christmas Tree is a new holiday children's book that follows the heartfelt journey of a tree from his youthful years to his crowning moment-to be a Christmas tree-the centerpiece in a family's home. But it doesn't happen so easily.

In this beautifully illustrated story, readers will watch this special tree grow as he copes with rejection, separation from a loved one, illness, sadness, and the frustration of watching other trees get happily snatched and taken away year after year. Leigh Marino's artful storytelling skills lead children through these hardships in a way that will help them to cope with grief & loss and the setbacks of life, all within a heartwarming holiday message.

So . . . how does this tree keep his hope alive? It happens one day when a small and furry new friend comes along and offers a scent of encouragement, inspiration and support - a true friend who knows when to hold a hand, and when to let go.

As you keep your Christmas tree dream alive,
It will give you the strength you need to survive.
We are born and we grow to fulfill our destiny.
It's an honor to be a Christmas tree!

Silver Winner of the 2025 COVR Visionary Award for Children's Books

From the Back Cover

To Be A Christmas Tree is an insightful picture book sure to invoke each reader with the spirit of the holidays. Marino's story follows two trees, a mother and child, on their journey to being chosen by their rightful family. Riddled with captivating illustrations and vivid nature imagery, this story educates and inspires readers on the meaning of family and the value of a loving support system. The story seamlessly connects the struggles and triumphs of the trees with the journey of finding one's community, relating to each reader on a personal level. Marino will surely capture each reader's heart with her heartwarming and sentimental storytelling.

Review Quotes

Told from the perspective of the Christmas Tree itself, this sweet and inspiring
holiday story is about grief and loss but also the power of love and hope to heal the
wounds they leave.

The little Christmas Tree is very impatient to be chosen and taken to a family's home.
His mother keeps reminding him that his time will come, but the Christmas Tree
loses hope when she is chopped down, and they are parted. He becomes sick, and the tree farmers decide that if he doesn't get better, they will cut him down to keep his sickness from spreading to the other trees.

The Christmas Tree thinks he is beyond caring when suddenly, into his branches,
climbs a little mouse. The mouse is full of stories about homes and families, and with
his friendship, the Christmas Tree begins to recover, growing new, strong branches.
The mouse has brought hope, and it was all that was needed to help the Christmas
Tree fulfill its destiny.

With his impatience and deep loneliness, the Tree is an empathetic main character
whose emotions will resonate with young readers. The story is told through
rhythmic rhyming quartets, perfect for reading aloud. The softly colored pencil
illustrations have a vintage, traditional feel that complements the rhyming text
perfectly, evoking the magic of Christmas.

To Be a Christmas Tree is a delightful, magical Christmas tale, perfect for starting
discussions about the meaning of the Christmas spirit.

--The Children's Book Review

"As a book lover and a children's bereavement educator, I was captivated by Leigh's beautiful tale, To Be A Christmas Tree. It is a touching story about love, loss, and the immeasurable value of family.

Leigh's writing is magical and rhythmic. Her words allow the reader to be moved by the experiences of the characters. Her endearing writing draws you in and enables you to feel what the characters are feeling - which is what good storytelling does.

I believe reading this story with children is a wonderful way to create conversation about the important topics of connections, family, and grieving-life experiences we will all go through. Discussing the themes of Leigh's story with kids are both valuable and validating for children and especially needed in today's world.

I know this book will be a classic. And, a beautiful story to be read by young and old alike for years to come. I can't wait to read it with my grandchildren and to the kids in my grief support groups."

-- Dana Hahn, Founder of the Luke Hahn Foundation

"The best children's books are the rare ones that are a joy to read for kids and their grownups alike. As soon as I opened To Be A Christmas Tree, I knew I had found one of these gems. I loved the whimsical, gorgeous illustrations by Tricia Kleinot, which swept me along and captivated my two young children. I was immediately entranced by author Leigh Marino's lyrical, vivid prose. In gentle, rhythmic rhyming lines, she weaves the story of a young Christmas tree from his own stirring perspective. She captures the heartbreak of rejection, grief, illness, sadness, and longing--and the magic of friendship, love, and hope. It's a moving, stunning read for all ages."
-Hannah Howard author of Feast: True Love in and out of the Kitchen and Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family.