The After-Christmas Tree by Linda Wagner Tyler, illustrated by Susan Davis, is a sweet and memorable picture book about family, friendship, and extending the joy of Christmas just a little longer. It is one of those treasures I added to my picture book collection years ago because I immediately knew it was something special.

This charming story takes a familiar post-Christmas moment and turns it into something creative, beautiful, and full of warmth. For homeschool families, it is a lovely way to bridge Christmas and winter learning while also encouraging kindness toward the birds and animals outside during the coldest part of the year.

Book Snapshot

• Author: Linda Wagner Tyler
• Illustrator: Susan Davis
• Ages: 5–6
• Themes: Christmas, New Year, family, friendship, birds, winter nature, generosity
• Best For: post-Christmas read-alouds, winter nature study, cozy seasonal learning

About the Book

In The After-Christmas Tree, the child narrator is sad that it is New Year’s Day and time to take down the family’s Christmas tree. She remembers the happy celebrations of Christmas and wishes the season did not have to end quite so soon.

But instead of simply putting the tree away, the family comes up with a wonderful idea for giving it a second purpose. With help from family and friends, the Christmas tree is moved outdoors and decorated with edible treats for birds and animals. What seemed like the end of the season becomes a new kind of celebration.

The story is brief, charming, and full of heart. Susan Davis’s soft illustrations add to the cozy feel, making this a lovely book to bring out each year during the quiet days after Christmas.

Why This Book Works for Homeschooling

The After-Christmas Tree is a natural fit for homeschooling because it offers simple connections to nature study, seasonal rhythms, and family traditions. It works especially well for:

• Nature Study – observing winter birds and learning how families can care for wildlife in cold weather
• Character – encouraging generosity, thoughtfulness, and care for God’s creation
• Seasonal Learning – extending Christmas reading into the New Year in a meaningful way
• Writing – reflecting on Christmas memories or narrating a favorite winter activity
• Family Tradition – inspiring your own after-Christmas activities at home

Picture Book Activities

Use these simple ideas to turn your read-aloud into an easy post-Christmas mini unit study. Choose one or two that fit your family and season.

• Nature: Make peanut butter and birdseed pine cones to hang in your yard, even if you do not have a Christmas tree to put outside.
• Science: Make a list of five to seven birds you see in your yard. Look up which types of birdseed, suet, and other treats they prefer.
• Writing: Use the Cozy Winter Home Notebooking Pages to reflect on your favorite parts of Christmas or write your own story about helping birds in winter.
• Memory Game: Play the free Woodland Christmas Memory Game for a fun seasonal activity.
• Bird Watching: Set up a simple bird feeding area outside a window and keep a notebook of the birds you see over the next week or two.
• Craft: String popcorn or cranberries to make a simple garland for outdoor birds, just as the family in the story decorates the tree with edible treats.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was the narrator sad when it was time to take down the Christmas tree?
2. How did the family turn that sadness into something joyful?
3. Why do you think feeding birds and animals in winter is a kind thing to do?
4. What are some ways your family could make the days after Christmas feel special?
5. What did you like best about the family’s idea for the tree?

Final Recommendation

If you are looking for a gentle and meaningful picture book for the days after Christmas, The After-Christmas Tree is a wonderful choice. It is cozy, creative, and easy to build into a simple winter nature study with very little expense or effort. This is a lovely book to add to your Christmas collection and enjoy year after year.