McPhail, David. The Family Tree.

McPhail, David.   The Family Tree.  Macmillan/ Henry Holt   unp   $16.99  978-0-8050-9057-4           elem        VG      Realistic Fiction

Years ago, a young pioneer chose not to cut down a tree when he staked out his land and built his home.  He watched many generations that came after him grow alongside that tree and protect it from destruction. This book has many messages for young children.  First, children will learn that they can affect change in those around them by having a clear plan and acting on it.  Next, they will see the importance of the environment and protecting our natural resources.  Last, but not least, they see the building of a society from home to neighborhood and from neighborhood to community.  Young readers get a social studies lesson when they are not even aware that it is happening!  Society sometimes forces us to progress with it and make changes that are not desirable; yet we can adopt others’ opinions with careful consideration and assistance from bystanders -- in this case, from forest animals that need the tree as much as the little boy who tries to save it from the chopping block.  In the end, the builders of a new road find a way to work around the tree, and the tree survives.  Adults know that solutions are not this easy; however, children, in their innocence, often show us that there are solutions to problems that seem to have none.  The illustrations are beautiful and the story is simple, yet effective.  The colors are old-fashioned and detailed, evoking lots of warm feelings. 

David McPhail has created a book that parents and teachers will read over and over again and find plenty of material for discussion.  The resourceful teacher could use this as a jump start for a discussion about ways students can protect the environment around them.   As the world goes green, children need to see that there are ways to protect flora and fauna.  The Family Tree provides this opportunity.      --Martha Squaresky