This Tree Counts! [Hardcover]

Alison Formento (Author), Sarah Snow (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 2010 | Age Range: 4 - 7 years | Lexile Measure: 480L (What's this?)

If you listen carefully to the lone tree behind Oak Lane School, it has a story to tell, about... one owl, two spiders, three squirrels, four robins, five caterpillars, six ants, seven crickets, eight flies, nine ladybugs, and ten earthworms, all living safe and free in their tree home.



What does this tree need? The children know-it needs friends!



Alison Formento's gentle story, illustrated with Sarah Snow's beautiful papercuts, whispers important ideas to all young tree lovers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Not only does this tree count, it matters! The double meaning of the title uses the lone tree behind the Oak Lane School as a taproot for a counting book as well as an environmental message. The tree needs friends so Mr. Tate’s class (no grade cited) decides to plant more trees—but first he claims the tree has a story to tell. As the kids gather round the tree, they hear and see: one owl, two spiders, four robins, seven crickets, etc., all the way up to 10 earthworms. Not only is the tree a home for many creatures but also it contributes to nature by providing shade and “washing” the air, and eventually it becomes things like a tree house, a pencil, and a guitar. The message branches out into a concisely written story with a child’s point of view that is enlivened with realistic and artfully composed paper-cut and digital-collage illustrations. Teachers will welcome this “going green” tale, which ends with the junior tree huggers planting more trees. Preschool-Grade 2. --Julie Cummins

Review

"Not only does this tree count, it matters!...The message branches out into a concisely written story with a child's point of view that is enlivened with realistic and artfully composed paper-cut and digital-collage illustrations. Teachers will welcome this "going green" tale, which ends with the junior tree huggers planting more trees." Booklist
"Snow's collage illustrations add texture and natural beauty to the story. The characters are dressed in outfits that showcase their individual personalities. The picture of the industrious kids working together in the grassy field under a bright blue sky epitomizes the story's theme of cooperation and friendship." School Library Journal
"The result gives a very earthy, made-from-nature feel to the illustrations. Snow's animals are easy to count and will keep young readers occupied....this will suit many audiences."
Kirkus Reviews
"a green counting book with panache." Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 7 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807578908
• ISBN-13: 978-0807578902
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 10.9 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #821,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alison Ashley Formento writes for children and young adults. Her multi-award-winning nature picture books include THIS TREE COUNTS!, THIS TREE, 1, 2, 3, THESE BEES COUNT!, and THESE SEAS COUNT! (Albert Whitman & Co.) Her freelance writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Writer, Parenting and several other publications. Alison's debut young adult novel, TWIGS (Merit Press/Adams Media), will be released in September 2013.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALISON, VISIT HER WEBSITE: www.alisonashleyformento.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an amazing "counting" book about what you can hear if you listen to the heartbeat of an old oak tree! May 13, 2010

By D. Fowler TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

There was a lone oak tree on the lawn behind the Oak Lane School. It was a small country school in a village across from a church. The houses were scattered across the landscape and many of them had picket fences in front of them. Mr. Tate's class was getting ready to plant some tree, but before they began there was a story to be told by the giant oak tree. Jake scoffed and said, "Trees can't talk," but Mr. Tate asked them to listen closely so they could hear the giant oak speak. The children clustered around the tree, huddling close to the bark, and began to listen.

There was a lone owl sitting on a branch "waiting for the moon" and two spiders spinning their webs across some smaller branches. There were three chattering squirrels playing up above and "Four robins sing from a nest, calling out hellos." The tree was talking and the children would hear it if they only stopped to listen. Five caterpillars inched along the branches and six ants made their way up the trunk of the tree, onto the branches and across the leaves. There were seven chirping crickets and eight flies looking for food. There were nine ladybugs and even ten earthworms gliding across the roots of the mighty oak. You can hear the oak tree talk if you take the time to listen!

This is an amazing "counting" book about what you can hear if you listen to the heartbeat of an old oak tree. I loved the gentle rhythm of this tale and enjoyed watching it come to life as the count continued. This is a wonderful way to introduce children to not only counting, but also the life forms that can inhabit trees. The artwork is charming and brings a lot to the tale. This was an enjoyable story and would be an excellent read and discuss tale in the homeschool or classroom setting!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Counts! March 12, 2010

By H. S. Walton

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My kids love trees. Well, mostly they love climbing trees. This adorable book shows there are many reasons to love trees. Part counting book, part classroom tale, there's a lot to love about this book, too. The story follows Mr. Tate's class as they plant 10 baby trees at Oak Lane School. The sweet story and its bright collage art will appeal to nature lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book just in time for Earth Day March 6, 2010

By C. W. Sherwood

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book would be perfect as a gift for a child for Earth Day. The collage-type illustrations are bright, clear, and colorful, and the text cleverly combines counting concepts with information about why trees are so important to us (why they "count") in a fun, kid-friendly way. I absolutely love this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children March 24, 2010

By Yana V. Rodgers

Format:Hardcover

Oak Lane School had but one tree growing behind it, so Mr. Tate and his students decided to plant some tree saplings to keep it company. Before the class started digging, Mr. Tate suggested that the children listen carefully to the tree's story and that they think about all that trees have to offer.

Illustrated with striking collages, this new book for young readers begins as a counting book and transitions into a narrative about how people and the ecosystem benefit from trees. Tucked away in these pages is a reminder that trees are used to produce a host of wood-based products ranging from pencils to wood-frame houses, making the book a useful tool for teaching the youngest learners about natural resources.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for your child or teacher's library! May 6, 2010

By N. Asef-Sargent

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This Tree Counts works on so many levels. It is more than a beautiful picture book - and the illustrations are amazing! The littlest ones will be mesmerized by the beautiful artwork and delight in counting the creatures that live in harmony with the tree. Those a little older will identify with Mr. Tate's class and the children's enthusiasm in making sure all trees count! Alison Formento cleverly conveys environmental lessons important for us all. A must have for your child's library and a special one to have on hand every Arbor Day or Earth Day. After buying this book, I bought an extra copy for my favorite Kindergarten teacher's in-class library. Simply wonderful!