Let's Have a Tree Party!

by David Martin, Jeff Manders (Illustrator), John Manders (Illustrations)

Doo-boppa, doo-boppa, doo-boppa-do! Join the romp as a bevy of forest creatures, both diurnal and nocturnal, inspire a very active celebration.

What could be better than friends together at a party in a tree? All of the forest critters will be the squirrel, raccoons, possums, frogs, birds, mice, and more. Even the slimy slugs are sure to slither in for the food, games, music, and dancing. And don't forget Baby Bear — that little clown will be there for sure! John Manders revs up the action with bold illustrations, while David Martin sneaks in some counting and movement prompts in a rollicking, boisterous tale that will have children eager to jump up and join the party.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Music, Counting, Family, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Readers of David Martin's books won't be surprised when they meet the author and find that he is just as entertaining as his books - he sings, plays the guitar or the kazoo, or even juggles during his school visits. As David Martin says, "I have never minded particularly making a fool of myself," so he is never at a loss to illustrate his points or to make a connection with the kids. In his interactive sessions, he also works with students to create their own books or to produce oversized class books. The author's ease in the classroom comes from his hands-on teaching experience: he's an eighteen-year veteran of elementary and middle schools.


A native of Queens, Martin has lived in northeast Vermont with his family since 1970.

Reviews

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is well written for young readers. Good illustrations - lots of animals.

[Bailie Mahuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book even if it was a little busy. There were many things incorporated in this children's book. There was counting, animal identification, and science. Science was incorporated because when night time came around the night animals came out from their home. There were lots of rhyming and my favorite part was when they all played Simon says. Reading this book reminded me of my family because we are just like these animals loud with many things going on all at once so it put a smile on my face. I enjoyed this book and I feel that children will also enjoy it as well.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's got some good information (counting and animal identification) and will probably work well for a storytime as long as the kids don't seem too wiggly going into it since it may seem a little long.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one throws a party like Grandpa Crow, and when it's in a tree it proves to be the best party of all. This rhyming, good timing, dancing, rump shaking, drum thumping party is only getting started as the sun goes down.

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and great, attractive illustrations. Perfect for first grade readers.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

No.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one but it might have been a little too busy for my liking. Lots of rhyming, some counting, and even some science on animals awake during the day versus the ones a night.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

In rhyming text, Grandpa Crow invites family and friends to join him for a party to be held in a tree. Everyone shows up, and the party rocks on until it's time for some lights. Young readers may enjoy the sights and sounds of the festivities. What made the title not so appealing for me despite the great phrases such as "drip, drip, lickety-split" (unpaginated), "wiggle your tush" (unpaginated), and "trumpets-a-tooting" (unpaginated) is the fact that there is too much going on. In some places, it becomes a counting book, in others, a Simon Says activity, in others a Bunny Hop, and in others, a glimpse into diurnal and noctural creatures. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations reflect all this activity, leaving my eyes tired from all the action.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I have a very active daughter who had never been interested in books at all. She would never sit still, wouldn't listen to the story, and definitely never filled in words. When she was almost 3 years old, this book grabbed her attention completely. I was amazed. It's still her favorite book, but she has since learned to enjoy many more. It's not a book that lets you get bored reading or listening. We have fun reading it every time. The pictures are detailed and colorful, it's fun to read, and allows plenty of opportunities for the child to participate. If you have a child with a speech delay or who doesn't like to sit still, this is a fantastic book for them, but I believe any child would love it.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are adorable and the idea is nice. However, some of the rhymes were just awful or completely forced (pizza and eat-za?). The kids came first but you don't see anyone else until almost the last page. I kept thinking "who else is coming?" There's also a section of counting so I thought that was the direction it was going but then it turned into a rhythmic, almost dance book. It still gets 3 stars because I don't think kids will mind any of these things. They will just like seeing wild animals eat pizza and play guitars and be silly. And that's really what's important.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book that talks about animals partying in a tree. From bears, to birds, to the late arriving bats, all animals get in the party. The book also has informative pages teaching kids to count. The great illustrations just add to the good story.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ALL over the place; if you want a counting book, a nature book, a (sometimes very forced/bad) rhyming book, a Simon Says book, a silly book, a book about a party, a book about animals acting in an anthropomorphic fashion...then HERE IT IS!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite the raucous scene!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that invites participation from the reader with counting, simon says, and dancing. Nice rhyme and bright illustrations. A fun read aloud.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun illustrations! The animals get a little carried away with their party. All ends safely and I'm pretty sure no animals were hurt throughout the story although I could be wrong.

[Glenn Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talked about how the animals were partying. It would be a good book for young people to work on their counting. The illustrations would be intriguing for the younger kids.

[T Crockett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with 5 & 7 yr olds and it felt a bit young for them, but they did have fun with the illustrations and the rhymes.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

action packed!

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forest animals gather for a party in a tree.