The Amida Tree

by Bonnie Ferrante (Illustrator)

Gordon Korman on The Amida Tree “…This piece works so well… There’s beauty in the simplicity of its telling, and the communication between the woman and the tree is hauntingly believable.”

The Amida Tree is this generation's tree. It will appeal to parents interested in a sustainable environment, healthy emotional bonds, a balanced life, and ethical living.

2016 Mom's Choice Award- Silver Medal.
2015 Gittle Award winner, third place.
2013 Preditors and Editors Reader's Poll: Second Place Year's Best Children's Book.

Hear the author read the entire book on Youtube.

https://youtu.be/-76P__LaGj4

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2013

About the author

Bonnie Ferrante is a hybrid writer (publishing traditionally and self-publishing). She was a grade school teacher for thirty-three years, ten as teacher-librarian. She has received three OAC grants for her writing. She has recently entered the field of self-publishing and is greatly enjoying illustrating her own picture books although this becomes more difficult as her Parkinson's Disease progresses.
Bonnie also has a Youtube site.
"Welcome parents, teachers, and kids to my safe youtube site. Kids can listen to a book being read or a story being told, learn about words and numbers, and sing along. Adults can watch a book trailer and find new ways to teach your children using inexpensive materials, active learning, and the outdoors."

Reviews

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began reading this book, I immediately thought of Shel Silverstein's book, The Giving Tree. Both feature a tree and a child who make requests of the tree, but here the similarity ends. A little girl loves a small, wild apple tree sapling. As she grows older, she learns to appreciate its beauty and the creatures who inhabit it. In order to investigate further, she wants to buy a chemistry set and a microscope so she asks the tree if she could pick and sell some of its apples. The tree agrees, but cautions her not too take too many because other creatures also depend on her. She agrees and makes dolls only from the fallen apples. Then she thanks the tree by planting some fallen apples so new trees will grow; she realizes her tree needs compost and provides it. Time passes and the young girl continues to read and study under the tree. When it comes time for college, she makes a new request of the tree. May she sell some of its branches for firewood to raise money for her studies? Again the tree cautions to use only the fallen branches. The girl studies them and carves them into animals of the forest.

After several years of study, the girl returns and finds that overgrown top branches are blocking out the sun preventing the lower ones from blooming. She cuts them back and fertilizes the tree. Now she writes a book and uses her profits to explain to others how important fruit trees are in our ecosystem. The grown woman goes on with her life. As time goes on the tree begins to decay and eventually an ice storm cracks its trunk in two. One day the tree's friend returns as an old woman; she is sad to view her old friend, but gratified to see that those fallen apples are now fully grown trees abloom. She is appreciative that both she and the tree have been able to share the cycle of their lives.

This is a beautifully written book with accompanying illustrations that portray the interdependence of man and nature. Both benefit by a mutual respect and balance of interests. I also think it important that the girl is a good role model for developing female interest in the sciences and higher education. Young children will enjoy the story at face value, while older children can ponder the many layers of meaning contained within the text.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story!!!. It makes us realize that sometimes we don't see the forest because of the trees. It tells the reader to see the tinest details and appreciate all that we have every day.
To breathe and just be. It impowers all of us to stop and see what is around in the world, including knowing we can all make a difference. Loved the illustrations too.

Jeanne Buesser
Author, He Talks Funny, Moonlight TIll Dawn, Journey from Darkness To Light

[Anna Othitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational and meaningful Children's Book

Bonnie is a very talented children's book author. She writes beautiful storybooks about great and important concepts.

I had the pleasure in reviewing her latest book “ Amida Tree” - A polite little girl, who has an apple tree as a friend till the end of life, exchanges love and nurturing, feel, touch. Her imagination and creativity takes her even further into discovering nature’s creatures such as of the insects on the tree trunk. This lovely little story educates and teaches children of the world how very important it is to take care of trees that provide for our environment and our well being. The simple illustrations and simple choice of words makes it easy for the children to read and understand the concept of the story line. This is a must for your young children’s teaching in every sense, recommended for kindergarten and preschools

[Ronit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl that grow up beside a tree on the forest. She have a special connection with it.
II love the book it brings a massage of connection between humans to nature. The tree give the girl fruits, and pieces of wood for her carving, and the girl spread the seeds the grow more trees. And although the girls go a way, she always come back to it.

I love the illustration, it light up the story.

I recommend this book to kids ages 4-8.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written as an alternative to The Giving Tree and it's pretty good for that. The relationship between the girl and the tree is more respectful of the tree's needs and it works out well for all in the end.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a lovely story.

[torque · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story.