We are so pleased to be working with award-winning illustrator, muralist and fine artist Danielle Stephen. Danielle created amazing images to illustrate the story and bring it to life. See the Dedication Page work in progress.
“My family owned a Christmas Tree farm while I was growing up. Every year, from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, I would help them with the business – especially the gift shop in their barn. It was always such a fun place to be and the spirits were always so high with the customers during the holiday season. It just created great family memories.
The trees eventually got too big to sell, so it is no longer a business… but all of my family still gathers at the barn to celebrate Christmas.
In the gift shop, I used to sell painted items and handmade things, but we always talked about how neat it would be if I could write and illustrate a Christmas book to sell. So it is really great that my family is going to finally see one in print.
Our farm was called Tannenbaum Farm – still is – even though it is no longer in use for Christmas tree selling. We had hayrack rides pulled by 2 Clydesdale horses.
Warm refreshments, homemade cookies and cider were inside the barn (gift shop). It is a beautiful barn, all finished inside with staircases to the loft, everything trimmed out in wood, and a cozy fire. We always had a HUGE tree that almost touched the barn ceiling. It was really fun.”
– Danielle Stephen, illustrator
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