The eponymous pine tree in this new holiday picture-book loved trains. She loved their speed, the sound of their click-clacking wheels, and the rush of wind that would shake her branches, when they would zoom past her corner of the tree farm where she was growing. When she is dug up one day and put inside a house, she isn't sure that she likes these new circumstances, and dreams of trains. Then she wakes Christmas morning and discovers a little train at her feet! It seems a dream come true, until the holiday ends and the train is taken away. Is this the conclusion, or is something even better in store...?

I confess that I picked up Annie Silvestro's The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains a little dubiously, wondering at the idea of a tree (any tree) loving trains. Of course, a tree can love whatever it chooses, but it struck me as an odd juxtaposition. Having now read the story, it makes more sense, and it strikes me that part of what the tree likes about trains is being outdoors with them. The story here is engaging, and will undoubtedly appeal to young Christmas celebrants who also love trains. The accompanying artwork by Paola Zakimi is expressive and appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for Christmas stories that also feature trains, or in which the Christmas tree is replanted after the indoor celebrations. ( )