What do you think?
Rate this book
A Tree Is Nice
"Trees are very nice," says Janice May Udry in her first book for children. She goes on to explain that even one tree is nice, if it is the only one you happen to have.
Some of the reasons why trees are so good to have around are funny. Some are indisputable facts. But in all of them there is a sense of poetic simplicity and beauty which will be sure to entrance any young child. Whether he knows one tree or many, he will relish the descriptions of the delights to be had in, with, or under a tree.
Marc Simont's joyous pictures, half of them in full color, accentuate the child-like charm of the words. And each painting of a tree or trees shows just how very nice they can be.
Some of the reasons why trees are so good to have around are funny. Some are indisputable facts. But in all of them there is a sense of poetic simplicity and beauty which will be sure to entrance any young child. Whether he knows one tree or many, he will relish the descriptions of the delights to be had in, with, or under a tree.
Marc Simont's joyous pictures, half of them in full color, accentuate the child-like charm of the words. And each painting of a tree or trees shows just how very nice they can be.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 1956
68 people are currently reading
3690 people want to read
About the author
Janice May Udry
31 books19 followersJanice May Udry is an American author. She was born in Jacksonville, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University in 1950. Her first book, A Tree is Nice, was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1957 for Marc Simont's illustrations. Her papers are held at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
March 18, 2018
This is and Ode to Trees or a Love letter to trees. It is a simple story with beautiful artwork. The simplicity is simply, look how wonderful trees are. Have you noticed everything they do in our world? Have you napped under one? It really is a lovely book about trees. This was decades before the environmental movement - simply someone who had an appreciation for trees.
I love trees. To me, they carry the sacred in them. This book touched me deeply. It is not comprehensive, but it for a kid to develop an appreciation for trees. I Love this little book. The art work is one page spread is colored and the next page spread is black and white, repeat. This must have been a 50s publishing style to keep costs down as I see it more in these older books.
The kids thought it was ok. They would wiggle a little, but they were mostly engaged.
I love trees. To me, they carry the sacred in them. This book touched me deeply. It is not comprehensive, but it for a kid to develop an appreciation for trees. I Love this little book. The art work is one page spread is colored and the next page spread is black and white, repeat. This must have been a 50s publishing style to keep costs down as I see it more in these older books.
The kids thought it was ok. They would wiggle a little, but they were mostly engaged.
July 3, 2016
Reread just cuz. And here's my old review:
"I'm not sure a child would pick it up herself... I recall this being on a shelf somewhere when I was a child, but I don't recall reading it.
But if a parent or teacher shares the book with a child, I think it'd still be very relevant. The kids, their homes, even their activities don't seem dated to me. There's even a true tomboy, a girl dressed up like a pirate, in one tree.
I think it'd be great to have kids do a writing exercise inspired by this. A river is nice, or Dirt is nice, or The wind is nice...."
I have enjoyed other works by both Udry and Simont.
"I'm not sure a child would pick it up herself... I recall this being on a shelf somewhere when I was a child, but I don't recall reading it.
But if a parent or teacher shares the book with a child, I think it'd still be very relevant. The kids, their homes, even their activities don't seem dated to me. There's even a true tomboy, a girl dressed up like a pirate, in one tree.
I think it'd be great to have kids do a writing exercise inspired by this. A river is nice, or Dirt is nice, or The wind is nice...."
I have enjoyed other works by both Udry and Simont.
January 3, 2023
Perhaps rather parochially my favourite tree in the whole world is an oak tree aged a few hundred years that lives at the entrance to my daughter's property. And I have always had an interest in trees from a young age, particularly from my teenage years when my wife to be and myself used to picnic at Kew Gardens in London.
So when I saw 'A Tree Is Nice' I just had to own it! The illustrations by Marc Simont are particularly fetching and the story, while simplicity itself, gives a great understanding of what role a tree has in everyday life.
As a forest, they 'fill up the sky', they live besides rivers and in valleys, even just one tree is nice because, '... it has leaves. The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long', playhouses are built in trees, apples are picked from trees, cats escape from dogs by running up a tree (and then have to be rescued by the Fire Brigade!), trees can have swings for children to play on or baskets of flowers hanging from them (or food for the birds even), cows shelter in trees' lee and picnics are taken in their shade.
After reading the book, or in the case of the youngsters featured in it, everyone wants to plant a tree and watch it grow and then proudly proclaim, 'I planted that tree.'
This is a delightful book and one which makes the reader appreciate the beauty of the tree even more.
28 December 2022
I noticed this on my daughter's shelves while staying with her and I decided to read it again. I feel that my comments above on the first read are confirmed. It IS a delightful book, it does make the reader appreciate the tree even more and perhaps it does make everyone feel that they would like to plant a tree and be proud about having done it. Lovely story, lovely illustrations.
So when I saw 'A Tree Is Nice' I just had to own it! The illustrations by Marc Simont are particularly fetching and the story, while simplicity itself, gives a great understanding of what role a tree has in everyday life.
As a forest, they 'fill up the sky', they live besides rivers and in valleys, even just one tree is nice because, '... it has leaves. The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long', playhouses are built in trees, apples are picked from trees, cats escape from dogs by running up a tree (and then have to be rescued by the Fire Brigade!), trees can have swings for children to play on or baskets of flowers hanging from them (or food for the birds even), cows shelter in trees' lee and picnics are taken in their shade.
After reading the book, or in the case of the youngsters featured in it, everyone wants to plant a tree and watch it grow and then proudly proclaim, 'I planted that tree.'
This is a delightful book and one which makes the reader appreciate the beauty of the tree even more.
28 December 2022
I noticed this on my daughter's shelves while staying with her and I decided to read it again. I feel that my comments above on the first read are confirmed. It IS a delightful book, it does make the reader appreciate the tree even more and perhaps it does make everyone feel that they would like to plant a tree and be proud about having done it. Lovely story, lovely illustrations.
October 7, 2014
I thought A Tree Is Nice was... nice. It's a simple, gentle little book showing various types of trees and the ways in which they enrich our lives (for example, apple trees give apples, big trees can be fun for climbing, or give shade). At the end, readers are encouraged to plant a tree. It's a "green" book before that sort of thing was in vogue. Simont's illustrations, while not enough to get me overly enthusiastic, pair very well with the simple text. It's nice to see a variety of trees portrayed and I felt each scene evoked a different feeling and way to appreciate that particular tree. I really enjoyed this Caldecott winner from the 50s and it's one I think would still feel relevant to children today.
January 9, 2013
Not only do I love the wonderful shades of green and the fall foliage that fill this book, but I appreciate its message reminding readers of the wonders of trees. Double-page spreads bursting with color alternate with simpler line drawings using black, white, and gray, allowing readers' senses to be stimulated when they turn the pages and find the color-filled ones. The simple text describes many of the merits of trees, filling the sky, providing shade, sheltering houses from the wind, and offering sanctuary for cats trying to escape from dogs. The gentle reminder to plant a tree so you can watch it grow is a positive message. This is another Caldecott title I remember reading when I was young, and upon finishing, asking my father to let me plant a tree. Certainly, by the time anyone finishes the book, he/she realizes that a tree is so much more than the understated "nice" (unpaged).
October 17, 2016
Growing up in East Texas I’ve always had a love for trees. I’m used to driving down old roads with skyscraper-tall pine trees whisping by. Either side packed tight with trees that, “fill up the sky”. When I first laid eyes on A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry I immediately thought about my favorite childhood book called The Giving Tree my link text by Shel Silverstein. I remember reading the tender story about a tree’s bond with a little boy over and over again. There is something sweet and comforting about trees, the way they sway and bend in the wind, the shade they provide, and the beauty they create. These are the types of qualities A Tree Is Nice is filled with.
I like so many things about this book. First off, it’s a unique shape, thin and tall almost mimicking that of a tree. The illustrations are joyful, always keeping the reader guessing as they jump from color to black and white with every turn of the page. Thin lines and shades of greens fill the space making it child-like. They pair well with the text, which is written in a genuine and simple way. There’s something calming about reading this book. It makes you feel at peace, like you’re becoming one with nature. I like that the words are poetically written with a tone of respect and appreciation towards something that is so familiar but commonly overlooked. One of my favorite lines is, “The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long.” What could’ve been a boring sentence about why leaves on a tree were important came to life through the use of personification and care. I can almost feel the gentle breeze on my face and the sweet whisper in my ear from the tree’s leaves.
This is the type of language students should be exposed to and incorporate in their own writing. I can see myself asking my students to close their eyes and envision what the text is saying. Using all of their senses, children would be able to paint a beautiful image in their mind of just how nice a tree can be. Another idea might be to use it in a science lesson to begin introducing the life cycle of plants. Students would learn the importance of plants and why they’re so good to have around. The end of the lesson could even be a class project that includes planting a tree in the community!
I like so many things about this book. First off, it’s a unique shape, thin and tall almost mimicking that of a tree. The illustrations are joyful, always keeping the reader guessing as they jump from color to black and white with every turn of the page. Thin lines and shades of greens fill the space making it child-like. They pair well with the text, which is written in a genuine and simple way. There’s something calming about reading this book. It makes you feel at peace, like you’re becoming one with nature. I like that the words are poetically written with a tone of respect and appreciation towards something that is so familiar but commonly overlooked. One of my favorite lines is, “The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long.” What could’ve been a boring sentence about why leaves on a tree were important came to life through the use of personification and care. I can almost feel the gentle breeze on my face and the sweet whisper in my ear from the tree’s leaves.
This is the type of language students should be exposed to and incorporate in their own writing. I can see myself asking my students to close their eyes and envision what the text is saying. Using all of their senses, children would be able to paint a beautiful image in their mind of just how nice a tree can be. Another idea might be to use it in a science lesson to begin introducing the life cycle of plants. Students would learn the importance of plants and why they’re so good to have around. The end of the lesson could even be a class project that includes planting a tree in the community!
July 21, 2012
This was a disappointing read with my daughter today. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I am a huge fan of trees, so I had huge hopes for this book. However, the story was severely lacking. The sentence structure and word choice was awkward to read out loud. The only trees discussed were deciduous trees, which are not as prevalent in our part of the country, so we couldn't relate to a good portion of the book. Perhaps if we lived on the east coast I would feel differently, but it was still an awkward read that didn't capture my daughter's attention.
November 3, 2014
A good book about the importance of trees! You may want to plant a tree after reading this classic! This would also be a good book for Arbor Day. Or pair it with The Lorax<\> for Earth Day.
October 7, 2017
1957 Caldecott Medal Winner
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
June 29, 2022
A lovely book about our arboreal companions. Infinitely better than the utilitarian nightmare The Giving Tree. Definitely the picture book of choice for arboretum excursions!
February 23, 2021
I love trees! My father taught me to love trees, to respect them, to revere them. When I see a tree cut down, I feel a physical pain. When I saw this book it was a poem for my soul. Yes, "Trees are very nice."
January 11, 2020
I keep musing about writing a picture book about trees, but can't imagine how I might write a tree book that is any more perfect and satisfying that this 1957 Caldecott winner. The simple language seems at first almost too simple, but one quickly feels the lulling cadence of the perfectly childlike language. "A tree is nice because it has a trunk and limbs. We can climb the tree and see over all the yards. We can sit on a limb and think about things. Or play pirate ship up in the tree . . ." This lovely homage to the tree is made exquisite by Marc Simont's beautiful, detailed drawings and paintings. It's a classic.
August 29, 2016
1. This book is about the practical pleasures trees have to offer us. It says like the title suggests trees are nice. They provide protection from hard winds, shed their leaves so we can play in them, provide branches to climb, and can offer us apples (if an apple tree). It shows readers that trees are beautiful as well. By the end of the book the narrator tells us it is fun to plant trees and watch them grow over the years. Another benefit mentioned is you get to tell people "I planted that tree!" and that inspires them to plant one too!
2. I think the grade level for this book would be k-4th. It has a moderate interest level. Its lexile is 420.
3. I think this book would be good for Earth Day. It is sweet and cute. It might inspire children to want to plant trees too. It could be used for a science class.
4. I think all students would benefit from this book. But an individual student who enjoys nature and plants would really like this book.
5. You could use this book in a small group, but I would rather read it aloud then have them to activities with the text in small groups.
6. I think this book would be great for a read aloud book. I think the students would enjoy it, and it has nice pictures.
7. Similar books include The Little Island and Be a Friend to Trees.
8. This book comes in audio version. There are also videos of the book read aloud.
2. I think the grade level for this book would be k-4th. It has a moderate interest level. Its lexile is 420.
3. I think this book would be good for Earth Day. It is sweet and cute. It might inspire children to want to plant trees too. It could be used for a science class.
4. I think all students would benefit from this book. But an individual student who enjoys nature and plants would really like this book.
5. You could use this book in a small group, but I would rather read it aloud then have them to activities with the text in small groups.
6. I think this book would be great for a read aloud book. I think the students would enjoy it, and it has nice pictures.
7. Similar books include The Little Island and Be a Friend to Trees.
8. This book comes in audio version. There are also videos of the book read aloud.
December 1, 2016
*Book summary
-This is a fun story that explains the purpose and usefulness of trees. Trees are fun and useful for everyone including animals. Trees can be used during any season, and are important to have around. Teaches children to love trees and cherish them.
*Caldecott Medal
*Grade level, interest level, Lexile
-K-2
*Appropriate classroom use (subject area)
-Teaching about recycling or the environment.
*Individual students who might benefit from reading
-Students that are interested in the outdoors will enjoy reading this book.
*Small group use (literature circles)
-Have students brain storm more ways a tree can be useful. Discuss why we want trees. For example, to use for shade.
*Whole class use (read aloud)
-Have students raise their hands and tell the class how they can use trees in their lives. For example, put a swing on a tree.
*Related books in genre/subject or content area
-“The Little Island” by Margaret Wise Brown is another book that similarly personifies an inanimate object. The author personifies the little island in the ocean, like the tree in this book.
*Multimedia connections
-Online videos made by people reading the book out loud.
-This is a fun story that explains the purpose and usefulness of trees. Trees are fun and useful for everyone including animals. Trees can be used during any season, and are important to have around. Teaches children to love trees and cherish them.
*Caldecott Medal
*Grade level, interest level, Lexile
-K-2
*Appropriate classroom use (subject area)
-Teaching about recycling or the environment.
*Individual students who might benefit from reading
-Students that are interested in the outdoors will enjoy reading this book.
*Small group use (literature circles)
-Have students brain storm more ways a tree can be useful. Discuss why we want trees. For example, to use for shade.
*Whole class use (read aloud)
-Have students raise their hands and tell the class how they can use trees in their lives. For example, put a swing on a tree.
*Related books in genre/subject or content area
-“The Little Island” by Margaret Wise Brown is another book that similarly personifies an inanimate object. The author personifies the little island in the ocean, like the tree in this book.
*Multimedia connections
-Online videos made by people reading the book out loud.
December 15, 2014
Udry, J., M. (1956) A tree is nice. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
A Tree is Nice is a wonderful picture book that deals with trees and nature. Although many people don’t realize the importance of trees, the story describes several ways trees can be used. For example to hang your swing set on. If you’re into the great outdoors you will like the illustrations in the book because they set you in the perfect natural environment. As you glance at each page you eventually realize that a tree can serve for a lot of purposes besides taking up space. This book is great for young elementary students interested in books about nature. It explores the themes of nature and purposes trees serve to people. I could use this book in my classroom to help students develop connection making strategies. For this I could have them choose a certain plant or object and share with the class the different purposes it can serve.
A Tree is Nice is a wonderful picture book that deals with trees and nature. Although many people don’t realize the importance of trees, the story describes several ways trees can be used. For example to hang your swing set on. If you’re into the great outdoors you will like the illustrations in the book because they set you in the perfect natural environment. As you glance at each page you eventually realize that a tree can serve for a lot of purposes besides taking up space. This book is great for young elementary students interested in books about nature. It explores the themes of nature and purposes trees serve to people. I could use this book in my classroom to help students develop connection making strategies. For this I could have them choose a certain plant or object and share with the class the different purposes it can serve.
July 11, 2011
A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Marc Simont is an early pean to nature and environmentalism. It was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1957.
In simple prose, Udry gives funny, odd and true reasons why trees are nice. It has a child-based logic that works well.
The illustrations alternate btween color, and black and white. The paintings have a simple child-like quality that is quite appealling. I particularly enjoy the first one before the title page, the two of forests, and the Autumn one. My favorite black and white illustration is the one with all the children in the tree.
For ages 3 to 6 trees, conservation, planting, environment, children themes, and fans of Janice May Udry and Marc Simont.
In simple prose, Udry gives funny, odd and true reasons why trees are nice. It has a child-based logic that works well.
The illustrations alternate btween color, and black and white. The paintings have a simple child-like quality that is quite appealling. I particularly enjoy the first one before the title page, the two of forests, and the Autumn one. My favorite black and white illustration is the one with all the children in the tree.
For ages 3 to 6 trees, conservation, planting, environment, children themes, and fans of Janice May Udry and Marc Simont.
February 13, 2014
Nice is a word I learned to avoid. It's an emotionally flat word in my world. It's not good or bad, wonderful or terrible, just nice. It's understated and reminds me of bland white pudding. A tree is so many things it seems awful to relegate it to just nice! Now I've got that out of my system, let's talk about this book. The prose is simple. You just need to add your imagination. I read, "The leaves whisper in the breeze all summer long", and I was right there, lounging with a book in the wonderful dappled shade of a tree canopy. "We walk in the leaves and roll in the leaves", transports me to the Fall in Montreal in 1989 when two French speaking girls buried my then 3.5 year old son in leaves. They laughed with such joy together even though they didn't speak each others language! I could go on but you get the idea...simple and effective. Trees are not just nice, they are truly awesome!
November 12, 2011
I have always had a deep reverence for trees. I might never have made it through The Lord of the Rings trilogy if it hadn't been for the trees. I certainly would not have made it through life.
Janice May Udry's picture book won the Caldecott Medal in 1957 for the illustrations by Marc Simont. That is a good thing because otherwise I might never have read it. Her title fairly well sums up the truth about trees.
After providing dozens of reasons why a tree is nice, the book ends with how to plant a tree and some encouraging words about the fun of watching it grow "every day for years and YEARS...You say to people, 'I planted a tree.' They wish they had one so they go home and plant a tree too."
Janice May Udry's picture book won the Caldecott Medal in 1957 for the illustrations by Marc Simont. That is a good thing because otherwise I might never have read it. Her title fairly well sums up the truth about trees.
After providing dozens of reasons why a tree is nice, the book ends with how to plant a tree and some encouraging words about the fun of watching it grow "every day for years and YEARS...You say to people, 'I planted a tree.' They wish they had one so they go home and plant a tree too."
September 5, 2011
A Tree is Nice is a simple story with a big message about the value of a tree. Janice May Udry points out the benefits and beauty of a tree as she tells tales that many children and adults can relate to. Any person can relate to their "connections to trees" in this story. We all have our memories of trees. She connects both people and animals to the reasons "A Tree is Nice". I loved the detailed pictures, dawn of color on some pages and the black and white sketches, on other pages. It gave light to the fact that it's the thought of trees that is so nice, not just the colored, vivid pictures that makes them beauteous. A great story on how something so simple as a tree can play a bigger part in our lives than we may have thought.
June 19, 2011
Well, trees are nice everyone. I guess I learned that trees are good. I also learned that anyone can write just about anything any old way and if they're lucky, they'll win an award. I learned it has nothing - absolutely nothing - to do with the actual story.
I think I'll write a book too. I've finally decided. It's going to be about poop. Yes, that's right. Poop. How poop is stinky, how it's made, how it's delivered, the different colors of poop, the non-glory of all things poopy, all those not-so-great things about poop. Who knows? I'll probably win an award somewhere along the line.
I think I'll write a book too. I've finally decided. It's going to be about poop. Yes, that's right. Poop. How poop is stinky, how it's made, how it's delivered, the different colors of poop, the non-glory of all things poopy, all those not-so-great things about poop. Who knows? I'll probably win an award somewhere along the line.
January 30, 2014
This book is essentially a list of reasons that trees are nice. That doesn't sound very effective, but I thought the book was wonderful! The illustrations are so cute and the reasons that a tree is nice actually sound like reasons a kid would come up with. I finished the book and thought, "You know what? A tree IS nice!" and then I missed summer even more than I already do. Sigh.
Anyway. This is cute. Check it out.
Anyway. This is cute. Check it out.
September 26, 2007
Who can argue with the title of this book? Not me! I love this Caldecott winner with its fun pictures kids jumping into piles of leaves, cats escaping from dogs into trees, and of a tree swarming with kids, doing everything from playing pirate to taking a nap. I love this book's simplicity and quiet humor.
November 5, 2014
I love trees, and that is all that this book is about. Literally, trees are nice, and all the reasons they are nice. I fully agree with all of the reasons and I love the pictures of kids and the trees, under them, on them, sleeping in the shade. I prefer the color pictures over the black and white, but, it was 1956... so hey.
April 4, 2018
A long list of things that trees are good for. I had to read it after reading about it so much in Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom.
January 15, 2012
As a hater of the word "nice" I welcome this slim simple volume as a way to show children how to elaborate to add real meaning to that oft-overused word. Why is a tree "nice"? Udry gives dozens of reasons, and Simont's accompanying watercolors have a clean natural look to fit the topic.
February 10, 2012
Not sure why, but I'm in love with this book. Took me back to my childhood.
January 27, 2015
A sweet story, particularly for 4 years and younger, although we all enjoyed the simple story.
August 19, 2023
"Trees are very nice. They fill up the sky."
March 5, 2017
This timeless classic is a love letter to trees. A lovely picture book to include in preschool nature units.
March 9, 2018
A Tree is Nice by Janice May Udry and illustrated by Marc Simont is a Caldecott Award winner. This book goes through different functions of a tree, as well as why it is so important. For this reason, it would be a great book to read to a science class outside on a sunny day. Trees are something that people of all ages take for granted and this activity would be a way to remind young and beginning readers the importance of trees. This books seems to have pen and watercolor, used in an impressionistic way. The light background and bold tree colors contrast in a way that allows the tress to stand out since they are the most important part of the story. Although there are many colors used in the book, different shades of green stand out and flow with the simple idea of the main color of a tree. This book also consists of a double-page spread which engages the readers across the page and does not confine them to one page of illustrations. Something to note about this book is how every other time you turn the page, it consists of color, while the alternating every other page is solely black and white. I may be alone in this, but I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. On the black and white parts of the book, I was allowed to fill in my own interpretations of the colors in the lines. This forces readers to use their own imagination to aid Simont in his illustrations. Another important aspect of the book itself is the size and shape of it. The rectangular shape with more area vertically, leaves room for the tall tree drawings from page to page. The shape was what first stood out to me, but after reading the title, I was able to guess that many trees would be reaching high on the pages once turning through the pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews