One Wild Christmas

One Wild Christmas is a further title in the “Life in the Wild” series by Nicholas Oldland. In this picture book, a bear, a moose, and a beaver who share a love for Christmas get ready for the most wonderful time of the year. They prepare food, hang stockings, decorate their cabin with lights, and perfectly wrap presents. There’s only one thing missing…a Christmas tree! Together, the trio of friends search a nearby forest for the perfect tree. After finding trees too white, too big, and too small, they finally find a just-right pine tree. Eager to put his teeth to good use, the beaver is ready to chop down the tree. But bear refuses to let that happen – he insists on protecting the perfect tree. So he comes up with an unexpected plan: the bear speeds home on his sled to bring the food, stockings, lights, and perfectly wrapped presents to the tree (to which he had he tied the beaver and moose to ensure they didn’t take down the tree while he was gone). The bear’s plan worked, and they had a perfect Christmas – complete with a snowball fight!

The simple-yet-adorable animated characters are endearing. Readers who share a love for animals and the great outdoors will greatly enjoy this tale (and likely others in Oldland’s “Life in the Wild” series). The talented author-illustrator brings outdoor landscapes to life using double-page spreads. Oldland, a Canadian who obtained a degree in fine arts from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, currently resides in Toronto where he runs a popular apparel company with his brothers. Notably, he has also worked as a commercial artist and filmmaker.

Those who join this animal trio on their wild adventure in this lighthearted, entertaining picture book are sure to find laughter and joy along the way. Readers of any age will enjoy One Wild Christmas and be reminded of the fun there is to be had when in the holiday spirit. Additionally, a message of conservation exists within this story as bear protects the tree from being cut down. One Wild Christmas could be used by parents or teachers as an opportunity to teach and discuss the importance of conservation with young children.