world literature

This is a beautiful book. It describes all the joyous experiences that trees provide for us including shade for a picnic, a place to tie a swing, a place for cows to rest in the shade on a hot day. I have read it many times and never tire of it. The words are like poetry. A must for any young child.

This book is even shaped like a tree, long and narrow. My 3 year old son loves it. I loved it as a child. The book presents the beauty of trees. Very simple but important. A must for any parent who wants to teach his or her child empathy, beauty, spirituality and the beauty of nature. Highly recommended!

Evocative. In this simple 1957 Caldecott winner, the author and illustrator take a little time to give their full attention to the glory of trees. In simple easy to understand sentences we hear about all the wonderful things trees do for us. From protecting houses from dangerous winds to shading us from the sun's strong rays, this is all about the wonders of foliage and greenery. Written in 1956, it's definitely lacking in the minority department. You might be able to make the case that some of the kids are Asian, but on the whole there are a ton of children in this story and they are white white white. Then too, even in a book about the timelessness of trees, there are dated elements to the story. In one section the author revels in the wonders of autumnal leaf piles. She then goes on to say, "We build playhouses out of the leaves. Then we pile them up with our rakes and have a bonfire". Accompanied, of course, by a shot of a kid standing next to a smoldering pile. Better explain quickly to your children why setting huge piles of leaves on fire, as the child in the picture is, probably isn't the best of ideas in this day and age.

Altogether though, I've few complaints. The pictures are truly stunning and the story a nice quiet read. I was a little baffled by the gargantuan apple tree the kids climb at one point. Where the heck do they grow apple trees that TOWER over the land like this one? But this is a great tale to read in terms of environmental consciousness. The story ends by telling the reader that if he or she plants a tree of their own, their friends and neighbors will see how much fun it is and suddenly wish that THEY had a tree to plant as well. So the cycle continues. Consider bringing this book up on Earth Day. It's a nice compliment to a simple staid message.