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The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World: An Award-Winning Picture Book About Isaac Newton and Scientific Discovery for Kids
From Emmy Award–winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding, this captivating nonfiction picture book explores the fabled apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. From a minor seed to a monumental icon, it inspired the world’s greatest minds, including Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. Meet the tree that inspired them all—the Gravity Tree.
A tree may seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And it all started with just a speck of a seed. . . .
It began in the 1600s with a seed that became the tree that grew the apple that fell right before Isaac Newton’s eyes. This seemingly simple event sparked one of the greatest scientific discoveries—Newton’s theory of gravity! A chain reaction of ideas and discoveries followed from the likes of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who traveled to the place where these scientific journeys began—Isaac’s tree.
From rocketing into space to adorning the queen’s carriage, the Gravity Tree’s unexpectedly remarkable and true life story is a tale for the ages.
Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding unearths the story of how something so small could change the world.
Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. Meet the tree that inspired them all—the Gravity Tree.
A tree may seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And it all started with just a speck of a seed. . . .
It began in the 1600s with a seed that became the tree that grew the apple that fell right before Isaac Newton’s eyes. This seemingly simple event sparked one of the greatest scientific discoveries—Newton’s theory of gravity! A chain reaction of ideas and discoveries followed from the likes of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who traveled to the place where these scientific journeys began—Isaac’s tree.
From rocketing into space to adorning the queen’s carriage, the Gravity Tree’s unexpectedly remarkable and true life story is a tale for the ages.
Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding unearths the story of how something so small could change the world.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 25, 2021
2 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Anna Crowley Redding
12 books49 followersBefore diving into the deep end of writing books, Anna Crowley Redding’s first career was as an Emmy-award winning investigative television reporter, anchor, and journalist. The recipient of multiple Edward R. Murrow awards and recognized by the Associated Press for her reporting, Anna now focuses her stealthy detective skills on digging up great stories for young readers — which, as it turns out, is her true passion. Anna's books have been translated into Russian and Czech.
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June 9, 2021Okay, new bucket list item! Did you know that the tree that inspired Isaac Newton's work on gravity IS STILL STANDING and you can visit it? This fascinating picture book has information about Isaac Newton (mostly in the back matter), but it focuses on the actual tree near Newton's childhood home that inspired his work. Visited by many amazing scientists over the years, it's also been cultivated so that trees grown from its seeds and cuttings could be planted all over the world. Not only is this an interesting true science story, but the book presents the message that something as tiny as an apple seed can grow to make a huge difference in the world.
August 21, 2021
The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World is a children's picture book by Anna Crowley Redding and illustrated by Yasmin Imamura. It centers on the apple that, contrary to legend, did not hit Isaac Newton's head in the mid-17th century and what became of the tree from which it fell.
Redding's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Redding relates with alliterative vim the history of the apple tree after inspiring Newton. Backmatter includes biographical notes, bibliography, and a timeline. Imamura portrays the tree from first tiny seed to gnarled snag, inspiring visitors from Albert Einstein in 1930 to Stephen Hawking in his wheelchair in 1987.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The apple may have missed, but the insight into why it fell down instead of floated away struck Newton, the young genius hard enough to revolutionize the world’s understanding of how the physical universe works and to turn the tree into a destination for generations of pilgrims.
The tree survived a lightning strike around 1820, though pieces of it were carved into a chair and, much later, carried onto the International Space Station. It still produces fruit to this day, sending offspring to grow around the world.
All in all, The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World is a sweet windfall of history and inspiration.
Redding's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Redding relates with alliterative vim the history of the apple tree after inspiring Newton. Backmatter includes biographical notes, bibliography, and a timeline. Imamura portrays the tree from first tiny seed to gnarled snag, inspiring visitors from Albert Einstein in 1930 to Stephen Hawking in his wheelchair in 1987.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The apple may have missed, but the insight into why it fell down instead of floated away struck Newton, the young genius hard enough to revolutionize the world’s understanding of how the physical universe works and to turn the tree into a destination for generations of pilgrims.
The tree survived a lightning strike around 1820, though pieces of it were carved into a chair and, much later, carried onto the International Space Station. It still produces fruit to this day, sending offspring to grow around the world.
All in all, The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World is a sweet windfall of history and inspiration.
December 31, 2021
What a fantastic nonfiction book! It tells the story of a "speck of a seed" that turns into an ordinary apple tree that becomes extraordinary when it inspires Isaaac Newton to ask questions and come up with the theory of gravity! But there's more: the tree links to Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, as well as many other scientists who've been inspired by the tree. In addition to this fascinating history, the story also reminds us that "you too might be small. But inside you is the potential to change the world."
June 6, 2021
"His mind was full of questions. And the tree was full of apples." I never knew a thing about The Gravity Tree other than Isaac Newton getting bumped on the head by an apple and coming up with one of the all-time most important scientific insights. (Spoiler alert--the head-bumping thing isn't true.) This book educated me on this amazing tree and now I so want a sapling of my own! Your readers will absolutely be drawn in and astonished by the history of this tree, and those who have come to visit it, and the places it's been able to visit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
September 16, 2022
I had always thought of Newton's apple along the same lines as the story of George Washington and the cherry tree, so this book was a delightful surprise. We are introduced to Sir Isaac Newton - and later Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking - but the Gravity Tree is the star of the show. This is the tree that grew the apple that made Isaac Newton question the laws of nature and led to his "discovery" of universal gravity.
You might wonder whether a tree that was thriving in 1665 could even be alive today. While a storm toppled it around 1820 and it appeared dead, part of the tree survived and regrew. Bits of the tree have traveled around the world - even into space! Seeds and saplings have been sent around the globe to grow into new trees. And the original Gravity Tree still lives and thrives.
The book ends with the reminder "A tree might seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And it all started with just a speck of a seed. You too may be small. But inside you is enough potential to change the world!"
Backmatter contains brief biographical summaries of Newton, Einstein, and Hawking as well as more information about the tree, a timeline of Newton's life, and a bibliography.
You might wonder whether a tree that was thriving in 1665 could even be alive today. While a storm toppled it around 1820 and it appeared dead, part of the tree survived and regrew. Bits of the tree have traveled around the world - even into space! Seeds and saplings have been sent around the globe to grow into new trees. And the original Gravity Tree still lives and thrives.
The book ends with the reminder "A tree might seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And it all started with just a speck of a seed. You too may be small. But inside you is enough potential to change the world!"
Backmatter contains brief biographical summaries of Newton, Einstein, and Hawking as well as more information about the tree, a timeline of Newton's life, and a bibliography.
July 6, 2021
Trees are a wonder, and the Gravity Tree in particular holds a very special place in history as the spot where Newton first started pondering the concept of gravity. Over the years, the tree has received all kinds of visitors who are there to dream, ponder, marvel, imagine, and theorize. Eventually, the tree even becomes a traveler itself, after pieces of it are taken around the world, planted, and occasionally made into beautiful objects. This book is informative and fun, full of drama and color, and with a beautiful message about the potential we all have inside of us to make discoveries, affect history, and create change simply by noticing what’s around us and taking time to ask questions. The illustrations on the end pages are a treat and will have readers trying to figure out which scientific discovery they represent. The back matter gives additional interesting information about a few of the scientists who visited the Gravity Tree over the years.
January 17, 2022
I’ll admit, I kinda assumed the gravity tree story was myth (kinda like George Washington and the cherry tree). But in this nonfiction picture book, we learn that the gravity tree exists and that there are many descendants of the original tree planted around the world. The back matter explains that not only did Isaac Newton talk about the experience at his childhood home in England at Woolsthorpe Manor, but the extra tree has been modern technology to date the tree and to research it throughout the centuries. Nevertheless, the part about it falling on his head is myth. Newton only watched the apple fall. This book would make a great addition to a study about plants/gardens alongside a study of gravity or Isaac Newton or even outer space. Lots to connect, here. The back matter includes information on the Gravity Tree, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, a timeline, and a bibliography. The artist used Caran d’Ache neocolor ii and Procreate to create the digital illustrations for this book. The Gravity Tree was published May 25th 2021 by HarperCollins
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!
October 28, 2022
Science (just enough to make physics accessible/understandable to elementary schoolers) meets strong themes of resilience, growth mindset and connectedness/teamwork.
In gorgeous mixed-media artwork, Redding tells the story of Newton discovering gravity (obviously). But the TREE is way cooler than Sir Isaac: It's survived a couple serious disasters over the centuries and still found a way to persevere - regrowing after being struck by lighting, with pieces of the original sent to space and used to build QE2's royal carriage.
A brilliant explanation of the gratitude Einstein, Hawking, etc expressed to the scientists before them in journeying to the apple tree heard round the world.
Kudos to Redding for featuring disabled late scientist Stephen Hawking (disability mentioned in passing but his brilliance/contributions are the center). He's a personal favorite of this disabled nerd. :)
Belated thank you to Harper for the review copy, which I received for evaluation as a Cybils 2021 panelist (deserving nominee for Elementary Non Fiction).
In gorgeous mixed-media artwork, Redding tells the story of Newton discovering gravity (obviously). But the TREE is way cooler than Sir Isaac: It's survived a couple serious disasters over the centuries and still found a way to persevere - regrowing after being struck by lighting, with pieces of the original sent to space and used to build QE2's royal carriage.
A brilliant explanation of the gratitude Einstein, Hawking, etc expressed to the scientists before them in journeying to the apple tree heard round the world.
Kudos to Redding for featuring disabled late scientist Stephen Hawking (disability mentioned in passing but his brilliance/contributions are the center). He's a personal favorite of this disabled nerd. :)
Belated thank you to Harper for the review copy, which I received for evaluation as a Cybils 2021 panelist (deserving nominee for Elementary Non Fiction).
December 4, 2021
A thoroughly informative and enlightening book that tells the tale of the apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton's theory of gravity and also other great thinkers such as Einstein and Steven Hawking. it is a fun book to read for all ages - and it is a perfect example of how the tiniest things in this beautiful world - like an apple seed - can truly make a difference. It also gives us the example about the importance of carrying on our valuable and important history by turning some of the tree's wood and branches into symbolic and even useful objects. The illustrations are fluid and colorful and the back pages are full of details about trees - THE actual tree and the main scientists and thinker detailed in the story; it is an excellent example of narrative nonfiction and a great book to read aloud.
October 28, 2021
I loved finding out about the famous 'gravity tree' that we've all heard Sir Isaac Newton was sitting under when he started to wonder and theorize about the force of gravity. I had no idea the tree was still standing, and not only that, how many other noted scientists have made the pilgrimage to visit it during the course of their careers. I even discovered that there are descendants of the original Gravity Tree in my hometown! The lyrical language and gorgeous illustrations of this book deepen the feeling of awe that this tree inspires in so many, and I love the idea that something that starts with a small seed can have an extraordinary journey and influence so many. Truly, a beautiful book!
February 13, 2022
This book took me on a fantastic journey! It all started with a tiny apple seed. This speck of seed grew into a tree that inspired Isaac Newton and became the Gravity Tree, which continues to inspire the world. I love how Author Anna Crowley Redding weaves in the narrative of the life of this seemingly simple apple tree, with how ideas can be planted like a seed in brilliant thinkers' minds and blossoms to a magnificent tree that bears fruit for years to come. And especially love how the book ends with addressing young readers: that they might think they are small, but like a seed, they have enough potential to change the world! Illustrator Yas Imamura did a beautiful job bringing this book to life!
June 20, 2022
“Nestled down in the dirt, the still seed slept—until the warmth of
spring saturated the soil. Soaking up water, the apple seed swelled
and swelled—until, with a shift and a shake, the seed split its shell.”
Anna Crowley Redding’s beautiful lyrical writing brings us the story of the famous Gravity Tree that changed the world. An ordinary tree becomes extraordinary when it inspires Newton, and other famous scientists after him like Einstein, Hawkins, and many others. Yas Imamura’s gorgeous illustrations are a perfect pairing to bring this fascinating story to life. The back matter includes information about the famous scientists who visited the tree, a timeline about Newton, and bibliography.
spring saturated the soil. Soaking up water, the apple seed swelled
and swelled—until, with a shift and a shake, the seed split its shell.”
Anna Crowley Redding’s beautiful lyrical writing brings us the story of the famous Gravity Tree that changed the world. An ordinary tree becomes extraordinary when it inspires Newton, and other famous scientists after him like Einstein, Hawkins, and many others. Yas Imamura’s gorgeous illustrations are a perfect pairing to bring this fascinating story to life. The back matter includes information about the famous scientists who visited the tree, a timeline about Newton, and bibliography.
May 26, 2022
History comes to life in this riveting picture book that celebrates the power of curiosity! Anna Crowley Redding masterfully weaves scientific details with fascinating facts. Yas Imamura's illustrations are captivating, and also a perfect visual explanation of scientific concepts. Readers of all ages will love learning about the tree that not only prompted Isaac Newton to discover gravity, but also inspired other famous scientists like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Part of the tree even went into space! I learned so much from this book. And perhaps the most powerful takeaway of all is how the ordinary can become extraordinary, and each of us has the potential to change the world.
November 4, 2021
This is a really fascinating read about a special apple tree that inspired great thinkers for hundreds of years. Though the tree is the connecting thread throughout the story, we also learn about Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Steven Hawking. And digging deeper, the theme of the book is really about connection in general, and the potential people have to do great things.
Once again, Anna Crowley Redding manages to weave a compelling story while imparting a lot of information. The illustrations by Yas Imamura capture the spirit of the tree and the people wonderfully. Highly recommend!
Once again, Anna Crowley Redding manages to weave a compelling story while imparting a lot of information. The illustrations by Yas Imamura capture the spirit of the tree and the people wonderfully. Highly recommend!
March 13, 2022
This book is so brilliant. By using an object (a tree) to tell a slice of history, Redding has created so many different hooks to pull readers in. Nature-loving kids will enjoy reading how seeds grow into trees. History-loving kids will enjoy reading how a single apple tree helped change the face of science and the world. Kids also will discover that they -- like Newton -- have potential inside them to change the world. Plus, Yas Imamura's illustrations are just perfect for helping explain sometimes difficult scientific concepts.
December 8, 2025
This book is so brilliant. By using an object (a tree) to tell a slice of history, Redding has created so many different hooks to pull readers in. Nature-loving kids will enjoy reading how seeds grow into trees. History-loving kids will enjoy reading how a single apple tree helped change the face of science and the world. Kids also will discover that they -- like Newton -- have potential inside them to change the world. Plus, Yas Imamura's illustrations are just perfect for helping explain sometimes difficult scientific concepts.
June 1, 2021
The fascinating story of how a small seed grows into a simple apple tree and becomes the center of one major scientific principle and the inspiration for hundreds of years of scientific progress. Can you imagine touching one of the original tree's progeny? Or maybe taking a bite of one of the apples? What a tangible link to history! Back matter contains brief bios of Newton, Einstein, and Hawkins.
June 18, 2021
Good, but they misrepresented the ideas a little bit. The idea of gravity was revolutionary, but it was the concept of Calculus that further inspired most of the future technological innovations mentioned, not gravity. And the author briefly mentiones other things Newton did, like this, that, Calculus, etc.
Also, the book made it seem that the tree itself gives off some sort of energy that makes people inspired. This is not the case, nor has it ever been.
Also, the book made it seem that the tree itself gives off some sort of energy that makes people inspired. This is not the case, nor has it ever been.
July 28, 2021
Who would think a tree would be featured in a book? In this case the tree has a long history and has inspired great thinkers. For children interested in science, whether it be trees or mathematics this book will be an interesting read. Yes, the tree is real as is the name appended to it many years ago. It played a pivotal role in the life, and mind of Sir Isaac Newton, as well as others who followed him. The book includes a bibliography for further reading.
September 20, 2021
This nonfiction STEM picture book by Anna Crowley Redding is absolutely fascinating. It follows the extraordinary journey, from seed to today, of the apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton to discover the theory of gravity. I had no idea it was still alive. The story is beautifully complemented by Yas Imamura’s gorgeous art. A must read for the science and history classroom and, honestly, everyone!
October 11, 2021
Review is part of Cybils Awards
Who knew! the tree exists even today! the famous apple that fell from the tree that led Sir Isaac Newton to come up with the gravitational theory actually exists!
This non fiction picture book talks about the how the tree inspired and shaped scientific thinking.
An interesting and curious read!
Who knew! the tree exists even today! the famous apple that fell from the tree that led Sir Isaac Newton to come up with the gravitational theory actually exists!
This non fiction picture book talks about the how the tree inspired and shaped scientific thinking.
An interesting and curious read!
June 1, 2021
A beautiful celebration of a very special tree from "just a speck of a seed" to inspiring greatness. It's dropping apples "sparked an explosion" of questions for Isaac Newton whose theory in turn lead to discoveries by thousands of other scientists - all in the 'shade' of this one tree. Delightful tree-t!
June 2, 2021
This book uses a lyrical and gorgeous description of a tree rooting into something that changed the world, inspiring not only Isaac Newton but also rippling down to other STEM geniuses such as Einstein and Hawking. This book has so many layers - plant life, science inspiration, and historical figures, to name a few. Recommended for upper elementary classrooms everywhere!
August 18, 2021
We have all heard about The apple tree Isaac Newton was sitting beneath when he discovered gravity, but few of us know much about the tree. Anna Redding’s book profiles the tree from seedling to inspiration to its death in a thunderstorm centuries later. What’s really amazing is how the tree inspired so many others including Einstein and Hawking. Truly amazing and inspiring.
June 5, 2022
I learned so much about the tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton through this book, including how revered the tree is by the entire scientific community (I had no idea!). I love how the author turned the story of the Gravity Tree into a clever allegory for children and their potential to change the world. Great nonfiction book for students learning science. The illustrations are very charming.
July 2, 2022
I don't know why, but I didn't realize the story was *actually* centered on the tree. I guess I thought it was about Isaac Newton's life. But I liked it! Now I want to see the tree for myself. 🤩 England, here I come!
December 4, 2022
Fascinating story about the tree that inspired Isaac Newton. I was surprised to learn that the tree was revered and visited by other famous physicists. Science-loving kids will enjoy this book. The lyrical language and colorful art helps make the story come alive.
June 3, 2021
Great story about the famous apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton to develop his theory of gravity.
July 30, 2021
This interesting book talks a little about Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and some scientific background.
September 19, 2021
I didn’t realize this tree was actually real - and still standing! I loved how most of the story happens after Newton! Who will be the next genius to visit the gravity tree?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews