21 THINGS TO DO WITH A TREE

Encouragement to adopt a tree, learn about trees in general, and appreciate and care for the trees in our world.

Wilsher cleverly folds in lots of learning and vocabulary while introducing children to all things arboreal. After beginning the activity book with the direction to choose a tree, the author moves from there to different things kids can do with their chosen friend: observe it, learn its parts, draw it, hug it (inviting others to join in if one person can’t reach all the way around the trunk), make bark rubbings, determine its age and height, examine its leaves, identify it, climb it, create art (scavenging from the ground, not picking live twigs or leaves), make a treehouse, play games with it, thank it, care for it, and look for seeds, fruit, and animals. The activities call on children to use different senses and skills to engage with the tree they’ve selected, and some of the options involving their tree’s fruit or seeds may require the kids’ power of observation over the course of multiple seasons. Stanev’s charming illustrations use spot, full-page, and double-page illustrations to depict steps, cycles, seasons, and many different types of trees. People depicted (mostly children) are widely diverse and include a wheelchair user and hijabis. Adult supervision and help are encouraged where appropriate.

A great interactive introduction to trees that will help children appreciate their many qualities and value.