Published August 2013
Why we chose this book:
T borrowed this from his farm school last week to read at home with me. We read it, discussed it, set up a little photo shoot with sticks he's brought home from farm school, and crafted the magic tree for his teacher. T enjoyed doing all of this, and talked happily about farm school and how much he loves Miss Lisa, his teacher, while we crafted. I am hoping that this excitement holds over till tomorrow morning, when he is scheduled to attend farm school. When I pick him up at the end of the session, he always tells me what fun he had, but dropping him off has been a challenge. This is his first experience in the care of someone who is not me, his dad, or either of his grandmothers. To help the transition, his teacher suggested sending home a book that he could share with me, but would need to bring back to her next week. Books to share? Right up T's alley! Let's hope it works!
Son's Review
(Age 3 and 1/2 years)
Mom: What was the best thing about this book?
Son: That it's a good book and it's lovely and it has lovely pictures.
Mom: Is there anything that is extra special?
Son: That you can tap it and it's magical.
Mom: How is it magical? ... What does the magic do?
Son: Because it's just magical...changes leaves.
Mom: What does it show you about trees?
Son: That trees are actually a good thing and you shouldn't cut down trees because it's bad for the Earth.
(I had expected him to say something along the lines of the leaves and flowers grow and then they fall off, which is what the pictures focus on.)
Mom: Can you show me your favorite page?
Son: The bird page. Was that your favorite page?
Mom: No. I liked the bud page.
Mom's Review
The reader is invited to touch each page in a specific way and then turn each page. When he or she turns the page, a change is apparent on the "magic" tree. Matheson's book follows a single tree through the seasons: leaves sprout, flowers and apples grow, colorful leaves fall to the ground when blown on, snow comes, and a bird builds its nest when spring returns. It is short but lots of fun; T loved tapping each page as directed and even invited me to do so along with him. He was very precise in following each direction and was pleased to see the change in the tree on each new page. When reading it with him, his intensity gave me the impression that reading this book together was important to him, but that wasn't something I questioned him on. I think this would have high appeal to fans of Tullet's books like Press Here and Mix it Up; T actually said that it reminded him of "Press the Dot" (he meant Press Here).
An exciting, interactive introduction to seasonal change.
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