Overview

What's so special about a tree? Why do they matter to you and to me? Get your child excited about nature and the world around them. From the backyard oak to the towering redwood, each and every tree plays an important role in our world. Not only do trees provide shelter for birds and other animals, they have the power to create the very oxygen we need to survive. And don't forget the beauty trees add to our environment with their bursts of color in spring and fall. Set alongside her late father's original artwork, the author's gentle, rhyming verse makes this book the perfect story for curious children and the grownups who love them. Come along and you will see what's so special about a tree. Introduce your kids ages 4-8 to the beauty of original paintings and drawings ​​​​​​​Simple rhymes perfect for beginning readers, to share as a family, or to encourage classroom learning 32 pages with matte cover 8"" x 10"" One-of-a-kind artwork throughout, including colorful watercolor and oil paintings and pencil drawings Realistic and fanciful trees to delight both children and adults List of artwork titles and media included Also available in paperback and e-book.

Full Product Details

9798990295117

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Reviews

From Laura's Books and Blogs: The illustrations are the real star of the story as even the cover image draws you into this world of trees, curious to see what other tree depictions lay inside. The illustrations range from pencil drawings to watercolor paintings. They're detailed enough to each have their own character and personalities while also being simple and colorful enough to fit right at home in a children's book. You can see different styles and techniques used in each illustration as the artist experiments with his chosen subject. Some illustrations are close ups of branches while others are wide shots featuring country buildings and other signs of life and terrains. They have that Bob Ross feel of being a place you want to jump right into and walk around in while also having a whimsical quality that is transportive in the imagination that it inspires in the reader. I recommend What's So Special About a Tree? to Van Dusen's target audience, children ages 4 through 8. It works as a great practice book for early readers, a quick story for preschool aged readers, and even a gentle bedtime story. Most of us don't live among these grand landscapes. So, it does serve as a kind of grounded escapism to flip through these tranquil country settings. At the same time, we can find trees in almost every environment, and that makes them such a prevalent part of our surroundings and a comfortable, recognizable, and essential part of our environment.

Author Information

As a child, Susan Polk Van Dusen visited the library every week with her parents and brought home stacks of books to enjoy. After having kids of her own, Susan continued the tradition with weekly trips to library storytime and nightly bedtime stories. Now, she hopes her picture books will bring joy to countless children and the grown-ups who love them. Susan has two grown daughters. She lives in Arkansas with her husband, Tim, their border collie, Sadie, and their dachshund, Bones. She is the daughter of this book's artist, John S. Polk. John S. Polk was a visual artist based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, who worked primarily in watercolor, oil, and graphite. When John passed away in March 2020, he left an extensive collection of works across an array of subject matter including architecture, landscapes, pastoral scenes, and portraits of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He is the dad of this book's author, Susan Polk Van Dusen.

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