Published by Dial Books for Young Readers
Summary: When Sylvia celebrates spring by writing a poem, she decides to share it with a birch tree in the park, tying it around the trunk. The next day, there’s a new poem tied to the tree, and Sylvia can’t believe it–the tree has written back! She thinks about the tree during school, which helps distract her from Walt, the most annoying boy in her class. The class studies haiku, and Sylvia shares her creation with the tree on the way home. Once again, her efforts are reciprocated the next day. A few days later, on a visit to the tree, who should appear but Walt, who actually starts acting nice. It turns out it is Walt, not the tree, who is writing the poems. He writes one on the spot to commemorate the beginning of their friendship: “If you want to share a poem with me/Give it to the tall birch tree/Or if you need a friend for writing/Playing with, or sit beside-ing/I’ll be here for you joyfully/Right beneath the Poetree.” 32 pages; ages 4-9.
Pros: This lovely story of a new friendship would also make a perfect introduction to a poetry unit.
Cons: Walt seems like a good guy…so why is he so mean at school?
