Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Literature, Science, and Math, OH MY!

Title: Tree of Wonder, The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree
Written by: Kate Messner
Illustrated by: Simona Mulazzani
Chronicle, 2015, nonfiction
Suitable for ages: 5-8

Themes/topics: rainforest, math, animals

Opening:
Deep in the forest, in the warm-wet green, ONE ALMENDRO TREE grows, stretching its branches toward the sun.
Among these gnarled roots and rutted bark, crisscrossed limbs, and rain-drenched leaves, a whole hidden world bustles and thrives.

Brief synopsis: (From Amazon.com) Count each and every one as life multiplies again and again in this lush and fascinating book about the rainforest.

Activities and Resources:
See the back matter for Rainforest Math and additional resources.
Write your own word problem for each illustration.
Categorize the creatures in various ways.
Writing: Use the book as a mentor text for a class counting book.
Common Core Aligned Teacher’s Guide

Why I like this book:
What a great combination of math, science, and literature! Animals that live and depend on the Almendro tree are presented through a simple lyrical story line. With each page turn, the animals multiply, effectively shown by a graphic representation of the number. WOW! I’ll let you be surprised by the numbers. Sidebars on each page extend the reading level with more extensive information on each creature. It’s a different kind of counting book with gorgeous illustrations of the community that shares just one amazing tree.

Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent resources.