This is a beautiful tale of a girl named Bella, Bruno, a dog with a very large heart, and Nan, an elderly grandmother who is "crooked."
Told in a rhythmic Newfoundland style, the loveliness of the snow, the relationship between Bella and Bruno her dog, and her grandmother (Nan,) and the sheer joy of finding the perfect Christmas tree make this a book to be read again and again.

When Bella convinces her Nan that she and Bruno are capable of finding a Christmas tree so that Nan won't be "crooked," meaning out of sorts, they go on a journey through the woods to find a tree that will bring Christmas joy.

First, they bring a Alder tree that does not have beautiful branches, and Nan is still "crooked." Then, chopping down a spruce tree does not bring happiness to Nan either. Out in the woods Bruno and Bella stomp through the snow and find a pine tree. Finally, they trudge back outside and find the perfect fir tree for Christmas.

Now, Nan is not crooked. She is straight as she sings a song to Bella regarding each tree. Bella and Bruno asked each of the birds in the tree if they could chop it down. The reply was always the same "Yes, if you allow us to come sing on Christmas day."

And, so it was that straight Nan, sturdy and driven Bella with the big hearted dog Bruno enjoy Christmas as all birds found in each tree appear and sing joyously.

It was a perfect tree and a perfect day as Nan now knows Bella is growing into a competent girl, and brings love, joy and Christmas spirit to all.

The illustrations are not typical in that they appear air brushed and whispery. As I continued, I grew to enjoy the illustrative style, and the beautiful tale of a Christmas with many birds, four trees, a dog and happiness abounding. ( )

When Bella's Nan becomes "crooked" - cranky or irritated, in colloquial Newfoundland parlance - because she has gotten too old and slow to pick berries like she used to, or to fetch in that perfect tree for Christmas, Bella pleads to be allowed, together with her massive (and largehearted) dog Bruno, to bring back a tree. After much persuasive knitting, in which she demonstrates how smart and coordinated she is, Nan finally agrees, and girl and dog set off into the woods. But although they do their best, the trees they bring back - an alder bush, a spruce, a pine - are not what Nan is looking for. Finally, aided by Nan's little songs - to be sung to the tunes of popular playground rhymes - Bella finds the tree: a beautiful fir.

Bella's Tree pairs an engaging holiday tale, in which a little girl is determined to cheer up her grumpy grandmother, with engrossing illustrations that, whilst not really pretty, in a conventional sense, are very interesting. The language is described, on the front flap of the dust-jacket, as "Newfoundland-infused," so young readers not from that part of the world might struggle a bit. I had to look up "crooked" myself, as I wasn't sure, from context, whether it indicated irritation or sadness. Still, if one can become accustomed to it, it adds an authentic cultural flavor to this unusual holiday story. Recommended to anyone who has searched for that perfect Christmas tree, and to young readers interested in stories from Newfoundland. ( )

Bella's Tree was written by Janet Russell and illustrated by Jirina Marton. It won the Governor General's Literary Award for English-Language Children's Literature.

It takes place in Newfoundland which has quite the colloquial language. It is a few days before Christmas, and Bella sets out to find her grandmother a tree because her grandmother is getting too old to do it anymore. At first she finds an alder bush, then a pine tree, and then a spruce all of which frustrates her grandmother more and more . Finally on Christmas eve, Bella and her dog Bruno set out one last time for the perfect tree. They find the fir tree that her Nan had wanted all along and bring it back for her. On Christmas morning when her Nan awakes, she is so happy to see her tree, and even though there were no decorations to put on it because they were all adorning the alder, spruce, and pine, a huge flock of waxwings arrive to land on the tree and sing for them.

This story has a lot of text and it's in the language of Newfoundland English. At first, I was not sure what to make of it, until I kept reading and experienced all the harmonies and music the amusing dialect had. The story itself actually had two formal songs within it and a small piece where Bella sings her request to the waxwings. It is very enjoyable to read, especially out loud because of the unique word choices and rhythm of the language. Quite often, the author used rhymes, repetition with phrases like "chopped down the tree and dragged it home to Nan", and with sounds like "plump pleasure". This, combined with the light hearted and funny tone, and the characters' personalities, for example, "crooked Nan", makes this story so engaging and believable.

The illustrations give off a dark and sombre mood on most pages and I can't figure out the medium used for the art- maybe oil or soft pastels. Regardless, it's very detailed, rich, and well done. It totally captures the essence of the culture and place. Each time Bella and Bruno find a tree, there is a small window above the text, opposite the illustration page, where the type of tree is shown. The illustrations reinforce text by showing Bella and Bruno talking to the birds or when Nan is putting up decorations. The pictures develop the story as well by for example, showing a white cat in the home playing with the decorations while Nan is talking to Bella, or Bruno the dog grooming himself while Bella is at the kitchen table.

This book is perfect for anyone interested in Newfoundland culture and stories. Because as a picture book that is so heavy with text, this would be excellent for elementary level readers. It also is ideal for holiday reading since it's about Christmas trees. ( )

Nan is "crooked" and cannot look for a Christmas tree. Her granddaughter Bella and her dog Bruno bring home an alder bush, a spruce, and pine tree. Nan decorates them, but really wants a fir tree. When Bella finally brings that home there are no decorations left, but readers will remember before the page is turned that she promised the birds they would have a tree to sing in on Christmas. As the story ends this sweet holiday offering from Newfoundland will briefly remind readers of the classic German story, Cobweb Christmas. ( )