The Inside Tree

by Linda Smith, David Parkins (Illustrations)

Mr. Potter lives all alone in his little house. And outside is a little yard with just enough room for one little tree. In fact, it’s such a fine tree that good-hearted Mr. Potter feels bad that it stands there all alone in the yard while he stays warm by the fire inside the house. It doesn’t seem right that the tree is never invited in. And so he decides to do just that. But what will happen when the tree grows and grows and grows—and his little house stays exactly the same size?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2007

About the author

Linda Smith is the author of When Moon Fell Down, Mrs. Biddlebox, There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Boot, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book Mrs. Crump's Cat. Linda lived a full life in a short period of time. On June 28, 2000, she passed away after a two-year battle with breast cancer, but she left behind a world of language, love, and good humor that shines through in her books.

Reviews

[Natasha North]

Well-meaning but bumbling Mr.Potter and his bright and increasingly exasperated pooch remind me of Wallace & Gromit in a wonderful way.

[Wanda]

This reminds me a little of "But No Elephants". The gentleman, Mr. Potter is very comfortable in his house until he feels sorry for the dog outside. So he lets him in. One thing leads to another until he finds himself not so comfortable and cozy any more. Fantastic illustrations and a cute story. I like the ending!

[Katie Merkel]

This was a very cute story. The protagonist has a kind heart but needs to learn the value of boundaries...and wisdom.

[Dawn Brinks]

A funny and clever picture book about what happens if you bring a tree inside. The kids loved it!

[Tasha]

Mr. Potter’s life was just right. His house was just the right size for him and his teapot. His yard had a single tree where birds swooped and under which his dog slept. But then he looked out his window and noticed that the dog would be more comfortable inside by the fire. So he brought the dog in. However, now the tree was alone outside in the dark. There was only one thing to do: bring the tree inside! So Mr. Potter dug up the tree, wrestled it inside, and dug a hole through his floorboards for the tree roots. All was fine until the tree needed more room. Mr. Potter cut a hole in the ceiling and in came birds and the rain. His home was very little cozy inside and mostly outside. So Mr. Potter moved to the barn with his teapot, fireplace and dog. That is, until he saw a lonely cow outside in the dark…

For all of us who fill our homes with plants, this book takes it to the extreme. Smith’s writing offers the lilt of a storyteller, filled with just the right amount of rhythm. She enjoys breaking sentences over a page turn, increasing the tension just that tiny bit. It works very well in this humorous tale. Parkins’ art is filled with great contrasts. We have the perfect image of the small house in an idyllic setting. Then there is the yellow and orange warmth of Mr. Potter’s clothing next to the fireside contrasted against the cool evening colors of the lonely dog and tree outside the window. His use of small details adds to the warm feel of the home. This is used again in the barn where Mr. Potter eventually moves.

A unique book about trees and people, this is ideal for Arbor Day and Earth Day and will lend a hearty laugh to any collection of tree stories. This is one to bark about, make sure not to leaf it too long. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

[Kristen]

This was a very colorful book with a simple plot and light humor. Adults will enjoy reading this to children as much as children will enjoy hearing it read to them. While nature is part of the plot, you will not find anything to do with environmentalism or climate change in this wonderful book. It's merely about enjoying tea in the evening and wanting to share that experience with the dog, and maybe others. I also recommend this book to children who cannot read well but who like to pretend to read to themselves. It is easy to turn the pages and let the child narrate the story without reading all the words. The illustrations narrate the story well.

[Carmen]

This is a cute book about a guy who invites his dog inside because he feels bad that the dog has to sleep under a tree instead of cozy by the fireplace. That goes just fine, but then the man feels bad for the tree because it is all alone now! He brings the tree inside and thinks life couldn't get any better, but soon discovers that some things aren't meant to live in houses.

The Inside Tree would be fun to share as a read-aloud with four- to eight-year-olds. It invites questions about the relationship between humans and nature in a funny, entertaining way.

[Jennifer]

What a funny little picture book! Mr. Potter is a soft-hearted man who lives alone in cozy little house. One night, he looks out the window and decides it isn't right that his dog is outside all alone when he is inside all warm and cozy. It sort of snowballs from there. Preschoolers and younger grades will appreciate the humor. And Mr. Potter reminds me a little of myself--I used to sleep with ALL of my stuffed animals in my bed so none of them would get lonely!

[Loren]

I really like the premise of this story but after reading it a second time my rating dropped to 3 stars. The reason for the drop was how absurd the book seemed during the second reading. I am a big fan of absurdity and bemusement however this story took it over the top. I really enjoyed Mr Potter's kind heart and inviting the dog, tree and possible the cow inside. The illustrations are fun and the dog is a delightful character to watch throughout the story.

[Megan]

This is a cute book for younger children. It shows how one decision can lead to a whole dominoe effect. It is important to consider the consequences of your actions and decisions. Also, it can be helpful to run your ideas by a friend, teacher, or parent to be sure it is a good one! In this book, the dog saved Mr. Potter from making another mistake!

[Sara Lemonade]

A man thinks his tree looks lonely in the yard, so he digs it up, tears out his living room floor, plants the tree inside, then tears out his roof. And that's cool, for like a year or so, until the tree gets bigger. So he abandons his house and moves into the barn, and he's happy with that. I'd rather have my tree outside and keep my house.

[Lisa]

I have been wating for this book to come out since 1998 when Linda first sold it. I was not disappointed! I sat and read it aloud to my husband and daughter, who is 23.
I love optimistic Mr. Potter and his tender heart.

[Daniel Riles]

My 3.5 year-old daughter loved this book. From the detailed illustrations to the hilarity of bringing a tree inside a house, she asked for it over and over again. I love all the different birds that populate the tree and the good vocabulary that pushes language development.

[Jonathon]

This is a very cute book. If you want a class to sit still and be quiet, do not read this book. This book will get them all riled up. It is a silly nonsense book that is fun. The illustrations are colorful and nice.

[Linda]

Gentle, funny -- and every word is perfect. Mr. Potter and his adorable dog are a bit like Wallace & Gromit. I miss this wonderful, talented author.

[Dest]

There's a good chuckle here, courtesy of the sweet (and slightly stupid) Mr. Potter, a man who doesn't want a nearby tree to be lonely. I adored the writing, and the pictures weren't bad either.

[Tina B]

trees, dogs, not so bright but compassionate farmer

[Marianna]

And the moral of the story is, according to my 10 year old, leave nature where it is...

[Greta]

Delightful.

[Kelli]

Good read-aloud, especially for elementary age. Good vocabulary, a bit of a twist, not a predictable plot. Really enjoyable.

[Christy]

It may not be a good idea to bring a tree into your house!

[Tam]

My boys (ages 8 & 4) both laughed at the absurdity of this story.

[Jen]

This was pretty funny. I think that if the dog could roll his eyes, he would.

[Cara]

Cute story about a guy who starts by thinking that his dog would be happier inside by the fire and ends up with the whole outside in his house.

[Kimberly]

Cute, but nothing special.

[Shellie]

illustrated by David Perkins

What would YOU do if you loved a tree So much you wanted to keep it safe and happy?
Mr. Potter brought it inside..............

adorable!

[Jill]

Story of a daft man and his tree. Lovely illustrations.

[Kiddo]

Sweet silly fun on the surface. Lots of opportunity to talk about the consequences of our choices and considering what is best for those we try to help.

[Saxton]

A whimsical tale, with a healthy dose of absurdity and action to keep things moving, and a good sense of place and enough detail to bring life to the world.

[Whitney]

Cute story, fun to read.