Colleen Beattie lives in Ireland with her family. This is her first published work.

 

She was inspired to write this Christmas story after receiving a Christmas tree from her mother-in-law—a tree that had been part of her husband’s childhood home. This sparked her imagination, making her wonder what memories and stories the tree might hold as a cherished festive presence in people’s homes.

 

In this rhyming story, Colleen (and Tree) invite readers to share in the joy, magic, traditions, and togetherness of a family Christmas.

 

To bring this enchanting book to life Colleen worked closely with Arnab Das/ Illuminus Studios, to create a series of rich, colourful and heartwarming illustrations that we hope capture the warmth and magic of the Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

"As he looked around the room again,

With the fire all aglow,

He saw a photo of a little boy

That he’d known long ago.

 

But the young boy was a grown-up now,

With children of his own.

And Tree was quite bewildered

By how fast the years had flown.

 

Just then he heard some music –

Chimes and loud bells ringing.

He could hear that people all around

Were rejoicing and carol-singing.

 

He heard the door unlock just then

And couldn’t quite believe,

That the time had come already

And it was now Christmas Eve!"