It is very cold in the Far North.
The Great Manitou knows that winter is the harshest season for the Innu, and he decides to find a way to make their winters a little brighter. He searches through the trees in the forest to find one who will bring joy, beauty and warmth to all. Could it be the larch, the tree that the Innu use to make sleds, bows or ointments? The birch, malleable and robust? Or the magnificent black spruce? “Do you want to become the Christmas tree?” he asks each one. But one after the other, the trees decline his offer. All except one, the little fir tree, whom the Great Manitou had initially overlooked.
“The Great Manitou appears in vibrant fuchsia as various woodland creatures, standing out against the cool winter palette. A Christmas-themed look into Indigenous culture tradition that encourages further exploration.”
“Ovila Fontaine’s spirited prose shines through in this English translation. The richly coloured illustrations by Charlotte Parent are perfectly paired with the text, and kids will enjoy spotting Manitou, who appears in various forms. Bridging traditions and transcending seasons, the last page inevitably prompts a request that’s hard to resist: 'Will you read it again, please?'”
“An enchanting book for the holiday season, The First Christmas Tree is a different kind of origin story...With its quietly dazzling artwork, it's a picture book to be appreciated beyond the Christmas season.”