The Sailor and the Christmas Trees book by Deana Driver

The Sailor and the Christmas Trees: A True Story
By Deana J. Driver
Illustrated by Catherine Folnovic
John Hanlon of Brandon, Manitoba, served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. In late November 1944, the frigate he was stationed on was docked in St. John's, Newfoundland. John realized that they would likely be at sea on Christmas Day, so he decided that he and some other sailors should go up a nearby hill and cut down a few evergreen trees, then hide them in the ship until Christmas.
​On Christmas morning 1944, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on their way back to Canada from England, John and his friends pulled out those trees and surprised their fellow shipmates with a hearty ‘Merry Christmas’ wish! 
Non-fiction. Ages 8 to adult.
Winner, Children's books, 2015 Holiday Book Festival