Walking Trees
Published on 18. April 2024
Book
Hardback
36 pages
978-1-77306-976-0 (ISBN)
Description
Lily wants a tree for her birthday. Although she and her father live in a tiny dark apartment, she promises to give it water and sun and air. But after she receives her tree-whom she names George-even Lily can't imagine how their daily walks will change the neighborhood!
With George in a wagon, the two friends explore Lily's street, greeting neighbors who are happy to sit in George's shade. It turns out he's the only tree on the street! Soon Lily's friends want trees of their own. And together they become a small forest that travels from one end of the city to the other. Once word gets around, more people join in-with plants and flowers, chairs and picnic blankets, books and instruments.
This uplifting new picture book by Marie-Louise Gay is inspired by a project by the landscape artist Bruno Doedens and the late Joop Mulder called Bosk (meaning "forest") in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. It reminds us that-if we dare to imagine it-we can change the world, one tree at a time.
Key Text Features
dialogue
illustrations
author's note
gatefold
Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
With George in a wagon, the two friends explore Lily's street, greeting neighbors who are happy to sit in George's shade. It turns out he's the only tree on the street! Soon Lily's friends want trees of their own. And together they become a small forest that travels from one end of the city to the other. Once word gets around, more people join in-with plants and flowers, chairs and picnic blankets, books and instruments.
This uplifting new picture book by Marie-Louise Gay is inspired by a project by the landscape artist Bruno Doedens and the late Joop Mulder called Bosk (meaning "forest") in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. It reminds us that-if we dare to imagine it-we can change the world, one tree at a time.
Key Text Features
dialogue
illustrations
author's note
gatefold
Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Reviews / Votes
A lovely example of young people taking small steps toward sustainability. * Kirkus Reviews * Gay's cheerful story will help build appreciation for trees and encourage children to view them with care and affection ... A perfect choice for Earth Day. * Booklist * A winning story ... Gay captures the joy of a diverse urban community bonding over nature that brings beauty to their locale and lives. * Horn Book * An elysian vision grounded in real-world practicality. * Publishers Weekly * Gay offers a gentle tale of community and environmentalism, highlighting the beauty of the natural world as well as the innovative thinking and generosity it might take to maintain and care for an environment when it is under threat. * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * Exquisitely brought to life. * Globe and Mail * What an exhilarating and motivating story this is! * Canadian Children's Book News * Gay's story is well told ... Walking Trees is a book that offers hope. * CM: Canadian Review of Materials * Another gem added to Gay's oeuvre, Walking Trees will get readers excited about summer, and certainly even more excited about the idea of bringing nature closer to home. A fine pick for the budding environmentalist, leader, or changemaker in the family. * Montreal Review of Books * Gay's distinctive, detailed art ... illustrates how the walking trees help bring a community together to enjoy the outdoors. * Montreal Gazette * As usual, Gay's illustrations are simple and quirky. * Winnipeg Free Press * A charming and inspirational children's picture book ... This fabulous story is one that can be read again and again. * Miramichi Reader *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ontario
Canada
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to First Grade, Interest Age: From 3 to 6 years
Product notice
Picture book
Illustrations
Full color throughout
Dimensions
Height: 277 mm
Width: 208 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
386 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-77306-976-0 (9781773069760)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
MARIE-LOUISE GAY is an internationally acclaimed children's book creator whose work has been translated into more than twenty languages. She has won many awards including two Governor General's Literary Awards, the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award. She has also been nominated for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.