Have You Ever Heard of The Sugar Plum Tree?
Bringing the Sweetness to Life: A Journey into The Sugar-Plum Tree World
by Rachael Claire
Eugene Field’s dreamy poem The Sugar-Plum Tree was such a delight to me as a child that I longed to bring the sweetness of its fruit to today’s childhood — not just in words, but in story, image, sound, and play.
That longing has blossomed into something far beyond a single project. What began as a simple idea — to animate or illustrate the poem — has grown into a whole world of imagination. I'm now writing a chapter book series, developing a picture book, composing an original lullaby, and even exploring a whimsical stop-motion animation, all rooted in the magical land of Shut-Eye Town.
At the heart of it all is The Sugar-Plum Tree:
Have you ever heard of the Sugar-Plum Tree?
'Tis a marvel of great renown!
It blooms on the shore of the Lollipop Sea
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town.
This poem planted something deep in my imagination — a sense of wonder, gentleness, and the kind of dream adventure every child should have tucked under their pillow. And now, through Adventures from the Garden of Shut-Eye Town, that dream is unfolding in a whole new way.
I’ve been working on:
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✨ A chapter book series following Patrick and Jenny as they journey from bedtime troubles into fantastical dreamlands
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📖 A storybook version of the original poem, featuring handmade claymation-style illustrations
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🎵 An original melody for the poemto be set to music
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🎬 Plans for a stop-motion animation version — cozy, comforting, and made with intention and care
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🌿 Printable resources, journals, and activity sheets to extend the world into meaningful moments of creativity and reflection
It’s all still in development — but the direction is clear. I want these creative works to feel like opening a childhood keepsake box: warm, timeless, filled with both wonder and whimsey.
If you'd like to follow the journey (or perhaps drift off to the Lollipop Sea yourself), you can subscribe to updates. There’s a place for dreamers here — and I’d be delighted to share the sweetness with you.
With warmth and wonder,
Rachael Claire