Hello, Tree
Hello, Tree
Select a format:
Publisher's Hardcover ©2021--
To purchase this item, you must first login or register for a new account.
Little, Brown & Co.
Annotation: Inspired by the 2013 Black Forest fire and told from the viewpoint of a tree watching its home destroyed, Hello, Tree is... more
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #306327
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Copyright Date: 2021
Edition Date: 2021 Release Date: 09/14/21
Illustrator: Phumiruk, Dow,
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: 0-316-42526-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-316-42526-1
Dewey: E
LCCN: 2020047229
Dimensions: 29 cm
Language: English
Reviews:
Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

Crespo gives readers a story of a forest fire and its aftermath from the point of view of one who has been there: a tree. A ponderosa pine, to be exact. This one grew from a sapling in a forest clearing and describes its comfortable surroundings and those who keep it company: a family in a nearby house, animals, and other trees. But one hot and windy summer night, lightning strikes and ignites a massive fire, forcing all to flee, except the rooted-in-place tree. "All I could do...was wait." A double-page spread of vignettes shows firefighters saving animals and fighting flames, and, in a small deviation from point of view, the tree's human neighbors in a local shelter. Finally, "fire lost the battle." Two dramatic illustrations, nearly devoid of color, depict a charred landscape, with our narrator, and a few of its neighboring conifers, still standing. Soon, life returns. Spare prose outlines the process of recovery while the watercolor and digital illustrations provide a full picture of people rebuilding a home and planting seedlings, birds returning, and forest animals adapting to the changed surroundings. Concluding notes, geared to an older audience, trace the general sequence of events in forest fires, beginning with their inception and outlining both the immediate and long-term effects. Appended with a bibliography. See also Wildfire! on page 90. Betty Carter

Kirkus Reviews

A steadfast pine tree grows alongside a young girl.The tree narrates, describing how the pair play together and provide each other comfort and companionship. Life is serene in the forest clearing where both the girl's family's house and the tree are situated, until a lightning storm brings fire and chaos. Animals flee, and the girl and her family evacuate, leaving the tree alone. Miraculously, the tree survives, yet destruction is all around. Charred trunks, barren land, and the ruins of the girl's home have replaced the verdant lushness of the thriving forest. Nature finds a way though, and through the combined efforts of the human and animal communities (the latter never anthropomorphized), the forest regrows, and the cycle of stewardship is passed along to the next generation. Though told from the tree's perspective, this quietly powerful tale of ecological awareness will prompt reflection about readers' own roles in coexisting with and protecting nature. The simple, evocative text captures the placid, ever faithful voice of the tree and pairs well with the detailed illustrations. The deep greens of the mature forest project a strong sense of reassurance and vitality that effectively contrasts with the bleak browns, blacks, and grays of the post-fire scenes. The girl and her family have black hair and olive skin. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Both an appreciation of nature and an ultimately hopeful reminder about our symbiotic relationship with it. (additional facts, author's notes) (Picture book. 4-8)

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)
Kirkus Reviews
Reading Level: 2.0
Interest Level: K-3
Guided Reading Level: M
Fountas & Pinnell: M

Inspired by the 2013 Black Forest fire and told from the viewpoint of a tree watching its home destroyed, Hello, Tree is about the kinship between humans and nature, and preservation of the environment.

It was a swallow who called it first.
“Fire’s coming!”
And the animals ran away.
Even the insects tried to flee.
The girl and her family left, too.
All I could do…was wait.
 
When a wildfire comes roaring into the forest, all the animals and humans flee. But all the tree can do is wait. Wait until many days and nights pass. Wait until the fire loses the battle. And wait until the forest is still before the forest can be reborn and the animals and the girl can come back.

 


*Prices subject to change without notice and listed in US dollars.
Perma-Bound bindings are unconditionally guaranteed (excludes textbook rebinding).
Paperbacks are not guaranteed.
Please Note: All Digital Material Sales Final.