The Busy Tree

"I'm a tree, a busy tree...come and see."

So begins the story The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward with illustrations by Lisa Falkenstern. In beautiful rhyme, Ms. Ward explores every part of an oak tree from its roots to its boughs introducing such wonderful words such as hollow, prowl and hatchlings. As the oak tree grows tall, the reader sees the many creatures that rely on the tree to live. Ants, chipmunks, and spiders are among the creatures that the illustrator brings to life through her oil paintings. The story comes full circle as the children who play in the shade of the tree plant an acorn which creates another busy tree.

"These are my boughs that creak, bend, and sway,

shading the children below as they play."

This is Emmy's favorite page as she wishes that she could be on the swing hanging from the

tree branch. We've had the opportunity this year to really watch the trees change through the four seasons and Emmy has shown such interest in these changes. Each morning, when I open her curtains, Emmy will tell me what the tree outside of her window looks like. Right now its branches are fully covered in the most beautiful bright green leaves.

Not only is Jennifer Ward instilling the importance of literacy through her books, she is also encouraging her readers to get out into nature and discover its beauty. In addition to her large number of children's books with a focus on nature, Ms. Ward has created two wonderful resources for parents and teachers.

(best for ages four to nine)

(best for ages eight to twelve)

What I love most about both of these books is the way that Ms. Ward presents ideas that allow parents and children to slow down and really engage with their surroundings. Each book has 52 activities designed to capture young minds and all four senses. These books, along with an explorers kit full of essentials such as, binoculars, magnifying glass, cloth bag for collecting, notebook and pencil, field guides, camera, bottles of water, sunscreen and insect repellent, would be a great thing to have on hand for the upcoming summer months. I think I will create my kit and keep it in the car.

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Goldie and the Three Bears

It's always fun to read a different version of a classic fairy/folk tale. When I taught second grade, adaptations of well-known stories were always a big hit. The kids were so impressed with how you could rework a story to create something new. This always sparked a lot of ideas for use during writer's workshop.

To my delight, Emmy and I discovered Goldie and the Three Bears by Diane Stanley. In this version a little girl is looking for a just right friend! When her parents encouraged Goldie to invite a friend over and reminded her that "Nobody's perfect." she had a very difficult time because she knew exactly what she liked and what she didn't. "Goldie didn't want somebody perfect. She just wanted someone she could love with all her heart." One day when Goldie gets off at the wrong bus stop, she discovers a cute little house at the end of a tree-lined lane. In typical Goldilocks fashion, she enters the house and tries out three sandwiches (loving the third sandwich of peanut butter, with chunks, white bread, no jelly and no crusts), three chairs and three beds. When she is awoken from her nap on the just right bed, she is amazed to be find herself flying into the air. "Whee!" said Baby Bear. "Whee!" said Goldie. "Stop it," shouted the other bears. "You'll break the bed." Being very understanding, the bears invited Goldie to stay and play and she did discovering a friend that is just right! Emmy loves when Goldie and Baby Bear are bouncing on the bed and delights at the illustration on the last page where there are two photos in frames...one of Goldie and one of Baby Bear both in the same green dress with a yellow flower on the front. When I ask her which friend she loves with all of her heart, she always responds, "My Beshaboo." referring to her best friend in Austin, Texas. We love you Besh!!!

After reading this book, we searched for the very first version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears that Emmy and I read when she was (as Emmy says) "just a baby" - Byron Barton's version titled The Three Bears. I've mentioned our love for Barton's books in a previous post. Going back to reread books that we love is really important to us. I always tell Emmy that books are the most precious gift as they allow us to go so many places in our imaginations.

I've traveled the world twice over,

Met the famous; saints and sinners,

Poets and artists, kings and queens,

Old stars and hopeful beginners,

I've been where no-one's been before,

Learned secrets from writers and cooks

All with one library ticket

To the wonderful world of books.

~ Anonymous ~

By the way, Emmy and I love the song from the Page Cavanaugh Trio titled The Three Bears. If I could figure out how to upload a music file, I'd have it here for you, but alas my computer skills are failing me!!!!