Pick a Pine Tree
A secular, rhyming book that uses second-person instructions to walk a child through the steps of decorating a tree. Because it focuses on the actions rather than a traditional plot, it is a calming, predictable read for toddlers.
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht is estimated to take about 5 minutes to read aloud (361 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 2-5.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 361Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 2-5Our editorial fit
Our review
Written in the imperative, this book feels like a set of directions the child is following—picking, hauling, and hanging. This makes the reading experience feel active rather than something just happening to a character.
It is entirely secular, celebrating nothing more than the act of decorating a tree with loved ones. The lack of conflict makes it a very settling experience for younger children.
Before you buy it
With no plot or conflict, this works for some as a calming read but might leave some four-year-olds feeling underwhelmed.
Themes
- Christmas
- Christmas trees
- decorating
- family
- secular
Books like Pick a Pine Tree
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Night Before Christmasabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Maisy's Snowy Christmas Eveabout 4 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Construction Site on Christmas Nightabout 8 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Bear Stays Up for Christmasabout 6 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Taleabout 5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Pick a Pine Tree aloud?
About 5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 361. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Pick a Pine Tree actually for?
Ages 2-5 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Pick a Pine Tree survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Pick a Pine Tree a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it rhymes. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Pick a Pine Tree?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Pick a Pine Tree on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Pick a Pine Tree cover?
We tag it with Christmas, Christmas trees, decorating, family and secular. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
