Picture Book Review – One Day This Tree Will Fall

 

 

ONE DAY THIS TREE WILL FALL

Written by Leslie Barnard Booth

Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

(Margaret K. McElderry Books; $18.99; Ages 4-8)

 

 

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the Publisher: “Discover how a tree’s wounds and decay bring new life to the forest ecosystem in this lyrical nonfiction picture book for fans of Because of an Acorn and A Stone Sat Still.”

From Horn Book: a starred review “Lively, poetic writing and beautiful illustrations . . . Even the youngest of readers and listeners will grasp the concepts of ecosystems and the continuity of life. A model of what an excellent STEM-focused picture book can be.”

Kirkus Starred Review

 

REVIEW:

I couldn’t agree more! What begins as a “basic” tree book from STEM author, Leslie Barnard Booth’ and illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman …

 

 

 

quickly becomes a poetic look at the life cycle of a forest tree that survives despite wind and ice and drought; despite fire, and animal and human activity …

 

 

 

until it finally falls to the ground with a magnificent CRACK! and becomes something else entirely;

 

 

begging the question, “Does anything in life ever truly end?”

A perfect pairing with Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart (Random House Studio, 2023) for use in the classroom. This beautiful book’s simple, poetic language and gorgeously detailed nature illustrations will have kiddos clamoring for re-readings and personal time with the book to look more closely at the illustrations.

 

*Highly Recommended!

• Reviewed by Roxanne Troup