THE PINE CONE'S SECRET: A LIFE CYCLE POEM

THE PINE CONE'S SECRET by Hannah Barnaby. Illustrated by Cedric Abt.

Okay, before I actually write about this book, I have a bit of a confession. I am used to seeing pine cone as a compound word, not as two words. I thought perhaps we had a situation where the word was split to fit nicely in the pinecone on the cover. I googled it. Both are acceptable forms of spelling the word. Just in case anyone was wondering!

This is the time of year we're either visiting the farthest back, dusty corners of our attics or the local Christmas Tree Farms. It's time to get that tree, wrangle it into the stand, and get it decorated! With all my kids home for the week of Thanksgiving we had one day to find "the one" and chop it down!

We made the trip an hour away. Once there, you park and they load you up into their side-by-side and take you out into the field to the section you want. I'm partial to canaan firs that are at least 12 feet tall. After being dropped off, we found a beauty immediately, but you know you can't just stop at the first possibility. At least I can't. My family hikes the farm! It was absolutely magical. We entered an area with trees over 20 feet tall. They had grown together like a Narnian forest. I was in absolute awe! Following behind my five kids (ages 12-23) and my husband, the branches would part for a moment as each person stepped through and then swish back in place causing them to disappear from view. It was fantastic!

Anyway, back to my first Christmas book selection (you know, the whole point to this post!). We've got to start off with one honoring the amazing cycle of the pine trees we're all fawning over right now, and I've got the perfect fit! And guess what? It's told in rhyming verse!! I think the heavens just opened and angels sang!

Starting with the cone, each jump of growth is given a two page spread beginning and ending with a statement such as, " A pine tree is a cone" and then proceeding with rhyming lines about the topic. Some of the growth topics are dedicated to when the tree is a sapling, that it's a feast, a blanket, a gift, a celebration, etc. The book is very well done!

Extras at the end of the book go through the parts of the pine tree, approx sizes at different ages, maps showing locations both in the U.S. and around the world where some different pine varieties grow!

I can't exit picture book land without a comment about the artwork. The illustrations are enjoyable to study bringing visual life to the musical words. People and creatures fill the pages. Details such as trillium and lady slipper orchids are a nice touch!