The Gift of the Tree [Hardcover]

Alvin Tresselt (Author), Henri Sorensen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Tresselt's classic story of The Dead Tree is given new life in this gloriously reillustrated volume. The role of an oak tree in the cycle of nature is revealed as an ancient tree, even as it dies and returns to the earth, provides nourishment for new life all around it. "Impressionistic illustrations beautifully reflect an evocative text." -- Kirkus Reviews.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- New illustrations breathe freshness into this book originally published as The Dead Tree (Parents, 1972; o.p.). It stands as a tribute to the mighty oak tree, focusing on its majesty in maturity, through gradual decline to final decay. The interdependence of plant and animal life is clearly evident, including both those that seek its shelter and those that hasten the decaying process to prepare the soil for new life. The original text stands the test of time, reaching its audience with power and emotion as it directs attention to the forces of nature at work. The writing style encourages the young to develop a sensitivity to all aspects of nature without lecturing. Illustrations stretch from : cover to cover across double-page spreads to immerse readers in a forest setting. Seasons and years fade one into another through impressionistic woodland scenes that form the background for the oak and various animals that appear in realistic form. Color tones reflect the seasons, as they are softly muted in fall and winter; more vivid in spring and summer. These illustrations are far more vibrant than those in the previous edition. A perfect choice to use with Romanova's Once There Was a Tree (Dial, 1985) and Hiscock's The Big Tree (Atheneum, 1991) to promote a full understanding of the natural cycle of trees, ever changing, ever renewing. --Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

With a new title, larger format, and expansive new illustrations, a reissue of The Dead Tree, the prolific author's 1972 account of the natural end of an oak's long life: rotting wood attracts insects and then leaves holes that become homes for other creatures; after the tree falls, it continues to nurture and provides homes for the forest wildlife until ``there remained only a brown ghost of richer loam where the proud tree had come to rest.'' Sorensen, a Danish painter who also reillustrated Tresselt's Sun Up (1991), contributes sun-dappled, impressionistic illustrations that beautifully reflect an evocative text that's a reminder that just 20 years ago young children could be expected to take words like ``garner'' and ``moldered'' in their stride. One of the best of a spate of spring books designed to encourage the treasuring of trees. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (March 24, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688106846
• ISBN-13: 978-0688106843
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Poetically Told Tale of the Cycle of Nature, September 8, 2002

By 

E. Brown (cookeville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gift of the Tree (Hardcover)

I couldn't believe this book hadn't been reviewed more than once, so I had to write in. We just got this from the library, and believe me, we'll be purchasing our own copy very soon, as well as checking out other books by this author. There are only one or two short paragraphs per page, so there's not too much text for my three-year-old, but it's written so poetically that we can talk about the meanings of new words. I can easily see older children enjoying this book as well. Or I can just ad-lib the story by pointing to the beautiful illustrations that show how the various forest flora and fauna benefit from the dead wood and help reduce it to rich forest loam. It's a great story that shows the cycle of nature, the seasons, forest ecology, decomposition -- all in a poetic and beautifully illustrated book that a three year old can easily grasp, and which I know will be a favorite of my daughter's for years to come.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Cycle of Life, July 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gift of the Tree (Hardcover)

This lovely picture book is a wonderful tool for teachers and environmental educators, such as myself, to use to help students see the ecological processes going on all around them. The story follows the life and death of a tree, and shows how the tree contributes to the ecosystem even long after death, as a home for animals -- different animals as it passes through different stages of decay -- and enrichment for the soil. I read this story to my outdoor school students (5th-6th grade), even though it is meant for younger children, then send them out to explore a rotting log. It is an eye-opening experience for many of them! This is a very sweet, simple story illustrating the cycle of life and death in an ecosystem. Enjoy!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gift of the Tree, February 20, 2007

By 

Tamyra Williams "Teacher Reader" (Kamas, Ut USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gift of the Tree (Hardcover)

This book supplies the introductory information to a complete unit in life science. It demonstrates how a tree is used in nature.