Queen Charlotte brought her family's festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn't enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, making it the first known Christmas Tree in England. This story tells a little known fact about a favorite holiday tradition. A true story about the kind queen featured in the Bridgerton series!
Town & Country magazine calls The Queen and the First Christmas Tree one of the 14 best books about Queen Charlotte. Note that it is the only children’s book on the list! Read the story here: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g43742304/queen-charlotte-king-george-books-biographies/
Thank you, Amelia Capotosta, for recommending The Queen and the First Christmas Tree as one of “The Perfect Mentor Texts for Any Holidays Around the World Unit.” Read Amelia’s post here.
The History Chicks talk about the real Queen Charlotte and mention THE QUEEN AND THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE in this episode! Listen to their podcast here: https://thehistorychicks.com/episode-230-queen-charlotte-of-great-britain-part-two/
Loved signing copies of The Queen and the First Christmas Tree as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration at The British Emporium in Grapevine!
Loved autographing books at the Dallas Arboretum on November 20, 2021!
A photo taken at Windsor Castle by my friend Theodore Harvey, noting that Queen Charlotte was the first to introduce the Christmas tree to England in 1800.
The Queen Charlotte of the Bridgerton series on Netflix is delightful historical fiction. You’ll find this heroine’s real story in The Queen and the First Christmas Tree!
Had a blast talking to Fabiana Elisa Martinez about Queen Charlotte in the Dallas Children’s Theater Books and Heroes series on Dec. 20, 2020.
Thank you to Marion Redd of Charlotte, North Carolina for sending me this beautiful glass ornament of Queen Charlotte! For years, Marion told people about Queen Charlotte introducing the Christmas tree. I am so happy she’s happy with this book about that!
HONORS
A MIGHTY GIRL’S 2018 BOOKS OF THE YEAR selection: “This charming story, with warm illustrations, will quickly become a holiday favorite.”
THE HORN BOOK HOLIDAY HIGH NOTES 2018: . “Based on the real-life events that brought the Christmas tree to Britain, the approachable text emphasizes Charlotte’s generosity, concern for children’s welfare, and lifelong love of nature. Soft-lined illustrations in a muted palette portray a humble and relatable queen who is happiest amidst children or in her gardens.”
A KIND HOLIDAY: Share something kind you have done for others at whatever holidays you celebrate all year long and we will post it here.
The Queen hangs out with Father Christmas at The British Emporium!
Last year, The Queen was a featured book at A Very British Christmas at The British Emporium in Grapevine, an event that featured Father Christmas. I’ll be returning with The Queen Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12-4 p.m.
Merry Christmas, Father Christmas! Glad you enjoyed your early present of The Queen and the First Christmas Tree! The British Emporium 2018.
THE REVIEWS!
“Simple prose and light watercolors keep this retelling of historical events within the understanding of children who like a good princess story.”—Kirkus Reviews
“This lighthearted narrative is paired with textured, colorful, and palette-perfect drawings to tell of a generous queen and the beginning of one of the most cherished Christmas traditions.” — Foreword Review
“This piece of history reads like a story, and the charming pictures add to the fairy-tale feel. But, as the author's note reveals, this is history—a little-known piece of it. There are many holiday picture books, but few are nonfiction, making this a worthy addition to Christmas shelves.” — Booklist
“Charlotte’s enduring legacy spread from England to the United States and continues today. Delicate full-bleed illustrations done in a muted palette give the story an old-fashioned feel. A brief biography of Queen Charlotte is included as well as a list of further reading on the topic. VERDICT This additional purchase can teach young students about the origin of the Christmas tree as well as biographical information about this nature-loving monarch.” — School Library Journal
“Based on the real-life events that brought the Christmas tree to Britain, the approachable text emphasizes Charlotte’s generosity, concern for children’s welfare, and lifelong love of nature. Soft-lined illustrations in a muted palette portray a humble and relatable queen who is happiest amidst children or in her gardens.”—The Horn Book
