The Forever Tree

November 13, 2017
Inspired by a real tree at a Wisconsin summer camp, ad execs turned picture book authors Surratt and Lukas share a story of a tree beloved by animals and people, who come together to save it from being cut down. For years, the tree is sustained by the attention of raccoons, squirrels, and other animals: “They fed the Tree with laughter, singing, and dancing. And... that’s how the Tree grew strong and tall and proud.” A grandfather notices the tree and hangs a swing on it for his granddaughter; soon more children and families come to “pump their legs and voices up to the sky.” Years pass, then “after a Long Hard Winter,” the tree does not reawaken and “Grandfather did not return.” The tree is declared unsafe, prompting the animals to rally human architects and artists, who transform it into a multilevel tree house. Slater’s retro art creates a Golden Books vibe, but the text’s attempts to strive for meaning, through quasi-allegorical language and lots of capitalization, keep the meandering story’s emotions at arm’s length. Ages 3–7.

December 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Communities come together in unusual ways for various reasons, and often end up serving a purpose that was never imagined. This was the case when an old elm tree at a campground in Wisconsin is endangered and a group of local artists, architects, and the tree's owners come together to preserve it. In this anthropomorphized story told by the owner of the campground, readers learn that the tree grew from something more than rain and sunshine-it grew from love. Slater's bright and sprightly retro illustrations (think Richard Scarry in a Pinterest wonderland) follow a narrative that imagines the tree as home to animals who have "sleepovers, weddings and championship bingo tournaments" there. The author's father-in-law comes and installs a rope swing for his granddaughter. That "act of love" attracts other people who are drawn to the tree just as the animals have been, and the community grows. "But one Spring, after a Long Hard Winter, the Tree did not wake up with budding leaves. The Tree did not wake up at all." The animal and human communities step up-what can be done to save the tree? The result, in real life and in fiction, is a large and beautiful tree house, which uses the trunk of the tree as its centerpiece and the rope swing as its tether to the past. VERDICT A sweet and inspiring ode to the draw of nature and power of community. A valuable addition to social-emotional curricula.-Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017
"This is a true story about a Tree that grew from something more than water and sunshine. It grew from love." Yes, the story is based on a real experience explained in the author's note. However, the text immediately underscores the idea that "true story" can mean fantasy based on fact. The third-person tale is told from the point of view of the Animals who, before human beings came along, were using the Tree for such occasions as "weddings and championship bingo tournaments"--and even "first kisses." Extending the anthropomorphism, different kinds of Animals reveal different human traits, with Chipmunks generally showing dreamier personalities than the take-charge Raccoons. (Capital letters are overused throughout the text). The tongue-in-cheek humor continues after humans discover the tree, and the light-skinned, white-bearded Grandfather of a girl named Charlie adds a swing to a sturdy branch. More and more People (of varied ethnicities) enjoy the Tree, and the Animals, after humorously deliberating, consciously decide to accept them. When the Grandfather and the Tree simultaneously succumb to the ravages of time, the Animals cleverly influence some People to create a fitting legacy. The illustrations are reminiscent of some Golden Books, with plenty of negative space surrounding brightly colored, cheerful, simply portrayed People and Animals. The text is frequently overly sentimental, but it does provide an optimistic message about love, loss, and cooperation. An imaginative tribute. (Picture book. 4-7)

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January 1, 2018
Grades K-2 In the middle of a beautiful forest is a tree with deep roots and high branches. It stands proud, tall, and strong, and gives shelter, enjoyment, and food to the woodland creatures. In return, the animals keep it neat, tidy, and healthy. The animals are understandably worried when people start picnicking and playing around the tree. (The raccoons, in fact, begin planning a revolution.) Fortunately, the people don't hurt the treein fact, they are loving neighbors and live in harmony with the animals. Years later, however, the tree has gotten old and is sick, and when officials deem it unsafe, the woodland animals convince their human friends to take action, because something beautiful is always worth saving. Inspired by the true story of the Surratts' family tree at Camp Wandawega, Wisconsin, the story traces the spectacular resolution: a tremendous three-story tree house. Slater's vintage-style illustrations give the proceedings a peppy, optimistic tone; never is there any doubt of a happy ending, which seems fitting for such a sunny story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)