This picture book tells the tale of different animal families happily sharing a tree until “new arrivals” show up with a “wonderful” plan for the tree’s future. Can the tree be a home for all?

This fable illustrates that what seems like a disaster maybe a delightful surprise. The animals happily living in the cozy homes in a tree get a surprise when new arrivals show up. The new arrivals had plans of their own and began to cut down the tree, thus destroying the animals' homes. The animals were very upset but to their surprise, the new arrivals made even better homes for them and the animals realized that what they thought was a disaster ended up being a great surprise! ( )

A towering pine tree shelters a bird's nest, an owls' hollow, a squirrels' nest, and a rabbits' burrow in this simple picture-book fable. Then two newcomers - a human couple - arrive, excited about building a home of their own. But when they realize that their plans will lead to the destruction of all the other creatures' homes, will they proceed? Or can some other solution be found...?

Inspired by British author/illustrator Neal Layton's family holiday in a French forest, The Tree: A Fable offers a hopeful vision of humanity learning to live in harmony with nature, finding a way to see that their own needs are met, while still protecting wildlife. The eventual solution found - a tree house! - was very pleasing, especially as the construction of tree house (to live in, rather than as play areas) is a current trend in some quarters. Recommended to all young tree and nature lovers, and to anyone searching for children's stories about living in an environmentally conscious way. ( )

Brief text; great story ( )

THE TREE: A FABLE by Neal Layton is a heartwarming story about animals and people living together in nature.

Although this picture book contains few words, it tells a powerful story of empathy and compassion. When a couple decides to build a house, they discover their land is already populated by animals. The couple decides to find a way to live with their new neighbors.

Librarians will find this timeless book provides an excellent springboard for creative writing activities focusing on empathy and nature. It would also be a refreshing way to introduce the idea of fables.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.neallayton.co.uk.

Published by Candlewick on February 14, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )