For 25 years, beginning in 1887, Captain Herman Schuenemann cut evergreens to load in a ship he then sailed south on Lake Michigan from Manistique, Michigan, to Chicago. In 1912, a bottle washed up on the Wisconsin shore containing Captain Herman's message to his wife Hannah and their girls about a storm's severity, confirming his death and the loss of the ship. For 22 more years, Hannah Schuenemann and her three daughters continued to sail to Chicago bringing trees in time for Christmas. Based on a true event and real people, a relatively small (9 1/4 x 8 3/4") full-color picture book briefly relays this amazing piece of Great Lakes history. (Ages 5-9)

Already known and loved by readers of The New Yorker and through popular lore in the midwest, The Christmas Tree Ship appears in book form for the very first time, bringing a message of spirit and love that will endure beyond the holiday season. Full-color illustrations by the author.