Seeds are planted in various ways and trees begin to grow. They discover the creatures that live in and around the tree. A class gathers around it and begins to listen. Throughout it all, an owl sits in a hole in the middle of the tree. Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrupĭie cuts in the pages of this book show animals appear (and disappear) around a tree throughout the seasons. This fall or spring (or any season) incorporate these books as you look at trees. Many trees change regularly with the seasons and can easily represent the annual cycle of nature. When exploring seasons and seasonal changes at home or in the classroom, trees are a natural choice. Indeed, the book depends on the rhymes and the cute birds to keep the pages turning.Ī worthwhile message that just doesn't quite fly.Seasons present many opportunities to focus on the natural world around us. But they may not be enough to carry the flat text and lack of a story line. Their expressions are adorable, their antics endearing and rather anthropomorphic-one skis, while the other tries to pelt a fox with snowballs.

The two red birds (rather like crestless cardinals) that fly through this wintry wonderland steal the show. Baker’s digital illustrations fill the spreads with simple shapes and soft, woodsy colors. While it is certainly an important message, the very young may not make the leap from the animals and things that populate the book to humans, which make no appearance. “No two fences, long and low, / no two roads-where do they go? / No two bridges, wood or stone, / no two houses- / anyone home?” His ultimate message, arrived at on almost the final page, is that every living thing is one of a kind. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Ī sadly lackluster paean to the premise that “no two snowflakes are alike, / almost, almost… / but not quite.”īeginning with snowflakes, Baker then branches out to celebrate the uniqueness of other things, some found in nature, some manmade-nests, branches, leaves and forests. While there's nothing groundbreaking here, there is opportunity for both learning and whimsy. The backmatter includes instructions on collaging-a meaningful and fun activity that builds upon the text. Endpapers with realistic labeled images of leaves provide an injection of information in this otherwise dreamy musing. A nod to winter and spring make this a year-round read. Collaged leaves against painted illustrations encourage play and imagination. A leafy parade to celebrate our favorite time of year.' Rhyme rules the text but isn't forced in the least. Could a leaf from a tree become a hat, a Halloween mask, a hammock, or something else entirely? 'It could be a horn that blows, announcing that we're here. The picture book's idyllic setting seems Northeastern in nature, with deciduous trees shedding leaves, which the child scoops up. A child with brown skin offers gentle, artful ideas about what to do with autumn leaves.

A tree is nice book