A man arrives from the city with an axe and stands near a tree. He says, ‘Sorry, tree… but I need a house’. To which the tree replies, ‘I house the whole world’. What follows is a one-sided conversation where the man continuously points out what the ‘real world’ is. He describes many things that make up modern life – cities, cars, highways, jet planes, rockets, fast food. Shops full of people so ‘you can never be lonely’ even though no one talks to you. The tree does not reply. The more the man talks the less convincing he becomes even to himself. Standing there he hears bird songs and feels the sun and the gentle breeze. He is reminded of his childhood and gentle days spent in the garden and slowly a realisation of how small his world his world really is, ‘only as big as his couch. Only as deep as his television screen.’
The tree though is connected to the whole world, the forest, the sky, along winding rivers and deep into the earth. The tree spreads its shade over the man as he leans against it and, as the sun warms his heart, he begins to see and hear the living world around the tree. He asks, ‘Tree can I live in your world?’ ‘You already do’ replied the tree.’
This book is a homage to trees and their role in our world which is significant, or rather essential to life both in the natural world and for humans. Studies have shown how connecting with nature is good for both mental and physical health and this message is prominent in the book’s artwork. His elaborate praising of the ‘real world’ and its inventions and conveniences or the very telling picture of him shrunken down sitting atop a large pile of gaudy but coveted consumer goods. This contrasts strongly to the double gatefold spread showing the wide and wonderous natural world of the tree.
There is an afterword with accompanying illustration explaining the important and essential role trees play in our environment. There are also several pages of illustrations of the large and varied creatures that can be found in the book.
An excellent book to share with children or in a classroom. This could be used in conjunction with ‘Tree’ by Danny Parker and Matt Ottley which also has an entry in this database.
Picture Books for Older Readers
