Bella's Tree facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Janet Russell |
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| Illustrator | Jirina Marton |
| Country | Canada |
| Published | 2009 Groundwood Books |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 40 |
| ISBN | 978-0-88899-870-5 |
Bella's Tree is a lovely children's book written by Janet Russell and illustrated by Jirina Marton. It was first published in Canada in 2009 by Groundwood Books. This book is special because it won the Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Literature—Illustrations in 2009, which means the pictures are really amazing!
Contents
Bella's Search for the Perfect Christmas Tree
The story begins with Bella's grandmother, Nan, who is feeling a bit down. She's sad because she didn't pick enough berries, and now snow covers everything. Plus, it's almost Christmas, and they don't have a Christmas tree yet!
Bella bravely asks Nan if she can cut down a tree for them. Nan doesn't think a small girl like Bella can handle an axe. But Bella shows her she is "big and strong and smart." So, Nan gives her the axe. Bella and her big dog, Bruno, set off to find a Christmas tree.
The First Tree: An Alder
The first tree they find is an alder tree. Bella asks a junco bird sitting in the tree if she can take it for Nan's Christmas. The junco agrees, as long as it can come sing in the tree on Christmas Day. Bella brings the tree home. Nan tells her it's not the right kind of tree for Christmas. Still, they decorate it. Nan teaches Bella a song to help her remember to look for an evergreen tree next time.
The Second Tree: A Spruce
The next day, Bella and Bruno go out again. Bella finds a spruce tree. She promises the chickadee bird in it that it can sing in the tree on Christmas Day. When they get home, Nan explains that a spruce tree isn't a Christmas tree either. They put it next to the alder bush and decorate it. Nan teaches Bella another song to help her find the right tree.
The Third Tree: A Pine
In the morning, Bella and Bruno search once more. They bring home a pine tree. They promised the pine grosbeaks that they could sing in the tree on Christmas Day. Nan is still sad. She thinks pine trees are not Christmas trees. They put the last ornaments on the pine tree. Nan is too sad to teach Bella another song. She tells Bella to give up because it's Christmas Eve, and it's too late. All the decorations are used up. Bella begs for one more chance, but Nan says no.
The Perfect Tree: A Fir
Then, Bruno sees how sad Nan is. He pulls Bella back over the snowy hills and through the woods. They find a beautiful fir tree full of cedar waxwings. Bella knows this is the perfect Christmas tree! She brings it home. The waxwings agree to let her take it if they can sing in the tree in the morning. Bella sets the fir tree up next to the others late that night.
On Christmas morning, Nan is so happy to see the fir tree! The junco, chickadee, and grosbeaks all fly to their trees, ready to sing. Nan's smile almost disappears when she realizes they used all the decorations on the other trees. But then, fifty cedar waxwings fly to the fir tree and start to sing! All the other birds join in. Nan is no longer sad; her spirits are lifted!
Songs from the Story
In the book, Nan teaches Bella songs to help her learn about different trees.
Evergreen Song
(to the tune of ""Miss Mary Mack"")
All trees have leaves,
But some leaves leave
Their trees in fall
On the ground to sprawl.
All trees have leaves,
But the leaves that leave
From deciduous trees
Can pile up to your knees.
All trees have leaves,
But some don't leave;
No, they don't go never,
They're evergreen forever.
Spruce Tree Song
(to the tune of "This Old Man")
This old spruce, he had needles,
And all those needles had four sides each.
With a spin, twirl, give a whirl, in your finger, girl;
All day long that spruce needle twirl.
This old spruce, he had cones,
And all those cones they did hang down.
With a spin, twirl, give a whirl, in your finger, girl;
All day long that spruce needle twirl.
About the Author: Janet Russell
Janet Russell was inspired to write Bella's Tree by her husband's mother, who loved picking berries. She was also inspired by her daughter, Antonia, and her big dog, Bruno, who was a real dog! Janet is a seabird biologist, which means she studies birds that live near the ocean. This was her first book. She lives in Tors Cove, Newfoundland, Canada.
About the Illustrator: Jirina Marton
Jirina Marton, who drew the amazing pictures for Bella's Tree, is originally from Prague. She lived in Paris for many years before moving to Canada. Her paintings have been shown in art exhibits across Europe, Canada, and Japan. She has illustrated many children's books. One of her books, Marja's Skis, was also a finalist for the Governor General's Award for illustration. She lives in Colborne, Ontario, Canada.
