Published by Reycraft Books

Published by Dial Books

Summary:  The year of the tree continues, with two books that make connections between humans and trees.  In The Tree Told Me, a child learns lessons from a tree, one on each two-page spread.  “The tree told me to root into the ground….The tree told me that it takes a lot of time to grow up.”  The Tree in Me is a bit more abstract.  “The tree in me is seed and blossom, bark and stump, branch and trunk, and crown!”  Like the tree, there are roots that go deep, and connect with the roots of others.  “Because there is a tree, and a sky, and a sun in me, I can see that there is also a tree…in you.”  The Tree Told Me is 24 pages; The Tree In Me is 56 pages; both recommended for ages 4-8.

Pros and cons:  The Tree in Me is poetic, with a beautiful message and gorgeous illustrations that feature a lot of bright magenta and gold.  The Tree Told Me offers simple lessons that kids will understand and may be able to build on to come up with their own ideas.  Kids may struggle a bit with the more abstract ideas of The Tree in Me, but The Tree Told Me lacks the richness and beauty of the other book.