This Tree Counts!

by Alison Formento, Sarah Snow (Illustrator)

Overview

Honor Book - 2011 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
2013 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Youth Picture Book, 2011

Counting and nature combine in this tree-rific tale.

If you listen closely, the lone tree behind Oak Lane School has a story to tell. It starts with one owl, two spiders, and goes all the way up to ten earthworms using the tree as their home! So what does this tree need? Learn about the importance of trees and count from one to ten in this tale about going green.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807593219
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Series:	These Things Count! Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alison Formento grew up in Arkansas and now lives in New Jersey with her family. She's climbed trees, camped under them, and planted some! Alison is also the author of These Bees Count! and These Rocks Count!

Sarah Snow is a collage artist who combines found papers, acrylics, and watercolors. She has also illustrated These Bees Count! and These Rocks Count! Sarah lives with her family in New York.

Editorial Reviews

Trees will speak only if you listen closely,” Mr. Tate tells his students, as they prepare to plant trees near a large oak. As they listen, they hear the tree tell a counting story, which describes the animals that make the tree their home: “One owl sits high on my branches, waiting for the moon. Two spiders cling tight to webs, spinning all day long.” Snow's joyful cut-paper collages feel alive with activity, making this a green counting book with panache. Ages 4-7. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 2–4—At Oak Lane School, Mr. Tate's class decides that the lone oak tree in the school yard needs friends, so they decide to plant some saplings. Before they begin to dig, their teacher tells his students, "Trees will speak only if you listen closely." As the children listen to what the tree has to say, the narrative slips into the style of a counting book. The tree counts all the different creatures making their home in its vicinity, from one owl "waiting for the moon" to 10 earthworms "munching rich soil." Mr. Tate continues his lesson, and the youngsters talk about different types of trees as well as a variety of objects made of wood. At last, the class is ready to dig and they plant 10 trees, companions for the stately old oak. 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.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

School Library Journal

With a cleverly worded title, Formento combines a counting book with the environmental message that every tree matters. When Mr. Tate's elementary-age class decides to plant some trees behind their school, he encourages them to do even more: to listen to what the old oak tree can tell them. Their listening pays off-they hear all sorts of animals that make the tree their home, from one owl to ten earthworms. Mr. Tate's mini-lesson continues, touching on the fact that trees cleanse the air, have names and make the seeds that feed animals and grow new trees. Together the class brainstorms some different kinds of trees and the many uses of their wood. The artwork combines a hodgepodge of styles, using collages that are both hand- and digitally made with found papers and several paint media. 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. Paired with one of Ellen Stoll Walsh's Dot and Jabber adventures or one of Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's books, this will suit many audiences. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews

Honor Book - 2011 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
2013 Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee
The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Youth Picture Book, 2011

"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

From the Publisher