In simple rhyme, Nancy Van Laan tells the joyous story of a child looking for a tree to call his own. He climbs five trees and discovers them occupied by everything from one owl nesting to five spiders spinning, until at last he finds the tree that's perfect for him . . . right in his own backyard! Told from a child's perspective, this engaging book has many levels: it's a counting book, a book of concepts, and a point-and-say book, and it also shows every child's desire to explore the big, wide world and know that the comfort of home is close at hand. Bold, graphic illustrations add to the fun, making this a great choice for young audiences.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Finding the right tree for playing is hard work, but this narrator has plenty of spirit, trying again and again. Enthusiasm abounds as he runs from tree to tree, only to find that each one is already inhabited. He enters the world of backyard animals from squirrels to spiders, and hears and sees them playing, too. Finally, in a tree that holds a world just for him, he falls asleep, utterly exhausted. Repetition is cleverly entwined into this rhythmic narrative, such as "On moss-covered rocks, crickets chirp, 'Chirree!'/as I look, look, look for a tree for me." Primitive-style painted images combine with a collage technique, resulting in a look that is similar to the artist's previous work. What is different here is the use of more white space, which emphasizes contrast, makes the words more visible, and adds to a sense of openness. A fine pairing of author and illustrator, resulting in an appealing story.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
A child looks for the perfect tree to climb and along the way counts animals from one to five in this engaging, rhythmic young picture book from bestselling author Nancy Van Laan.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rhythmaning,
This review is from: A Tree for Me (Paperback)
The words flow so melodically and with such varied rhythms, that reading this is like singing a song. Nancy Van Laan, author of the defiantly slangy "Possum Comes a Knockin,'" once again shows her keen sense of sound in this very fun picture book for infants and toddlers. It's a simple story that, in someone else's hands, could have seemed formulaic and predictable. Van Laan, however, turns this into a frolicking poem that begs for dramatic oral expression. You're the conductor here-speed up and slow down your voice, turn the volume up and down, register surprise, disappointment, and delight, as you read this out loud. Sheila White Samton's unique collage-style pictures will also captivate your audience.
The simple story tells of a (briefly seen) boy and his dog looking for a certain tree. Instead, they find trees inhabited by friendly looking animals including frogs, possums (!), grasshoppers, worms, and squirrels. SPOILER: Our heroes eventually find the cozy tree house they were searching for!Nicely produced by Borzoi Books for Knopf, "A Tree for Me" has 28 beautifully illustrated pages. Although a few of the words are difficult (e.g., squirrels, dangling), the repeating words in Van Laan's poem may make this an appropriate book for the beginning reader as well as the small fry hearing it from you.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a tree for me,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Tree for Me (Hardcover)
I am an art critic and curator. This book is a delightful poem with incantatory repetitions that kids love. The illustrations are enchanting -- witty, engaging, and wonderfully colored. Samton's images add another layer of meaning to van Laan's amusing rhymes. Both text and illustrations stand up to repeated reading and close looking.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A joyful book!,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Tree for Me (Hardcover)
I'm a huge fan of Sheila White Sampon's books. Not only do my kids love them, but I adore reading them to my kids. There's a beautiful and simple quality to the words and pictures, and this makes for easy and fun reading and looking. But under her seemingly simple stories and pictures is a mastery that shows her deep understanding of kids and life. When I ask my kids which book they want me to read, they often pick up one of Sheila White Sampon's. Her books are harmonious and life-affirming. It's my great pleasure to read them often to my kids. Bravo to Ms. Sampon!!
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