My Big Tree

by Maria Ashworth

One blue bird has found the best place to nest. Soon other animals think it's the ideal place to be, too. The blue bird decides it's no longer the "best tree to nest in." She finds a new home but something is missing. In the end, the little blue bird realizes there is one thing more valuable than nesting in her favorite tree. The story focuses on counting, colors, animal sounds, word recognition, word repetition while stressing the importance of sharing, community and friendship.

34 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2016

About the author

I am an award-winning author who has published eight picture books and a Middle Grade novel. A few of my adult short stories have published in literary contests and a woman’s anthology.

I've been featured in an article December 2017 in Story Monsters Ink. By promoting myself, I landed on Fox News in Houston, Houston Chronicle newspaper, and NPR with my first book, on blended families.

I lead a weekly critique group that I started in 2009. I continue to perfect my craft by being a long-standing member with SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

Reviews

[Nellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this is an adorable book! There is a lot going on in the pictures, and a lot of teaching points as well. There is an introduction to different animals, and a description in the back for science, you have opportunity for counting up, and a countdown at the end. The pictures are very appealing to the younger grades. I think I would highly recommend this for a cute story that teaches the importance of feeling a belonging in a social community, and other content area learning points.

[Tony Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic book that is very well written and illustrated.
There's a lot going on here, the book primarily teaches counting and my young son loved trying to find the correct amount of each animal in the busy tree. The story also has a message which the little bird finds out at the end in a cute way. Finally, there is some factual information on each of the animals that explains a little more about them.
Very well done and a huge hit with my boy - highly recommended!

[K Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about friendship that also helps kids learn their numbers and colors. Highly recommend.

[Laura N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Big Tree is a sweet romp with many fun animal noises and counting. It illustrates the lovely idea of sharing beautifully. The pace is perfect for reading aloud and visually offers a lot for a young reader to gobble up.

[Sian Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read for 5 and under! Counting, colours and plenty of different animals are woven into a story about friendship. The illustrations are wonderful too!

[Melissa Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simple message about friendship and community. The illustrations are beautiful and the added counting fun makes this book a winner on many levels!

[Raven Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great friendship message. Both story line and illustrations are adorable!

[Tonya Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute story with adorable illustrations. It teaches counting and animal sounds. It also has some animal facts and a lesson about sharing. Highly recommend for young children!

[Mandy Hoefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Big Tree is a new favorite book at our house. This story has seamlessly woven together a plot including animals, colors, counting, and an important lesson. I read this book with both my four year old and six year old daughters. My six year old was able to read it to me and my four year old enjoyed counting out the characters. I am a sucker for a book that grows with the children to keep them learning.

The message was fantastic. The grass is not always greener, and this was an easy way to help the kids see. The whimsical illustrations perfectly paired with the “voice” in the writing to meld into the perfect story that I will love reading with my kids over and over again.

This book reminded me of my favorite book when I was younger called The Poky Little Puppy’s Counting Book. I loved counting out the different critters and objects in that book to my mom. I saw the same joy from my children when reading this book.

There is no doubt in my mind that this book has earned its place as a favorite in our family and I will be on the look out for additional books from Maria Ashworth to add to our library.
I received an advanced copy for providing my honest review.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Targeted for children up to age 8,”** My Big Tree is about friendship and the importance of relationships, though it seems to be more about counting and possibly learning colors, but this would be inappropriate for the intended age of “up to age 8.” The story begins with the one blue bird, then adds two black bears, three silver bats . . . nine white possums—not opossums—and ten gray mice. Midway through the book, the critters makes a onomatopoeic sound while it hops, hangs, jumps, or other action related to its nature (frogs hop, bees buzz, snakes slither), back down to the one blue bird nesting.

The illustrations look . . .

Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and to see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/MyBigTree

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

ages 3-5

An adorable counting book, this story shows all of the animals that can fit into one tree - 1 blue bird, 2 black bears, etc. all the way up to 10. There's an additional story line about the bird thinking it's his tree and getting annoyed, but it ends with counting backward and a friendship statement.

http://www.momsradius.com/2016/12/cyb...

[Shelley Kinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple story with a big message about friendship. Great for younger readers too who are still learning their colors and numbers.