How about a hug for Christmas ? The Christmas Tree that Loved to Dance is just the trick. Beautifully written, elegantly packaged, funny & thoughtful; this is a book that will make you, or someone you gift it to, very happy.

Does the title – The Christmas Tree that Loved to Dance – sound a bit, well, mad ? Gloriously so – the well paced, gentle story brings people & trees together in a beautiful story that’s woven together with Joan, her dog Jessie, a Sycamore and a quite a few dancing Christmas trees. So yes, gloriously mad at the edges, a hint of drama in the middle and a core of pure heart.

The illustrations by Lucy Claire Dunbar bring this tall tale to life – you might know Lucy’s work from Instagram, where she showcases her unique work (@lucyclaireillustration). There’s a hair-raising car chase, Dudley & Cliff, and Daniel…. and a lot of dancing.

The Christmas Tree that Loved to Dance feels luxurious in the hand; it’s small with lovely thick covers in sage green and cream, with twinkling golden stars on the inside covers, and a singing robin.

The story is warm, cosy, hopeful and charmingly written by Hart. Punctuated with those humorous illustrations, it’s a perfect gift for adults & children.

A huge, enveloping hug is exactly what you get with this book, which is a lovely gift for yourself as well as anyone else in your life.