In The First Christmas Tree: An Innu Tale, the Great Manitou, a shape shifting deity, searches for a tree that will brighten the dark days of winter and bring joy to children during the holiday season. But who is up to the job of becoming the first Christmas tree?

As he journeys through Innu territory, the Great Manitou pauses to appraise each tree: The birch is prized for yielding snowshoes, canoes, and drums. The sturdy larch is perfect for making sleds and bows. The black spruce’s firewood is unmatched. Yet to Manitou’s dismay, they turn down his Christmas invitation. “I do not want to be decorated. I’m already beautiful,” says the birch. In turn, the larch is too stubborn to move and the spruce wishes only to grow taller.

Out of options, Manitou asks the all-important-question to the one tree he overlooked. To his delight, the fir enthusiastically agrees to be the first Christmas tree. 

As in many fables and biblical stories, a reckoning awaits those trees who refused Manitou’s request. Their punishments echo through the natural world, offering mythical explanations as to why trees lose their leaves in autumn or why some fail to thrive in southern climes. 

Originally published in French and awarded the Governor General’s Award in 2024, 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?”mRb