What do you think?
Rate this book
A Tree Is a Home
In this delightful exploration of the seasons in nature, an oak tree and its animal inhabitants change and grow over the course of a year --- just like their human neighbors! A large old oak tree stands near an empty house. Like the house, the tree provides shelter and a place to raise a family. From its branches to its roots, six animals share the tree as a home. Readers follow along as the tree and the animals --- a raccoon, opossum, acorn weevil, gray squirrel, blue jay and chipmunk --- change and adapt through all four seasons, from one autumn to the next. Meanwhile, a human family moves into the empty house nearby, and we see their story unfold, and grow, at the same time as their animal neighbors. Bestselling children's author Pamela Hickman provides a perfect introduction to nature's seasonal cycles in this charming picture book. In a unique approach, the informational text about the tree and animals is paired with a separate narrative told wordlessly through artwork about the human family's parallel lives. Zafouko Yamamoto's art alternates between the wider view encompassing the tree and the house and a focus only on the tree, where close-up illustrations highlight each animal's activities. This multilayered story invites rereading and discussions about the various homes found in nature, and the cycles and seasons of life. It has strong curriculum applications in life science, such as growth and changes in animals and plants, ecosystems and habitats. The book also explores the interconnectedness of living things and fosters an appreciation for nature. Illustrated life cycles of an oak tree and each of the animals in the book, a glossary and further reading are included.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 7, 2021
52 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 9, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
A tree is a home is a beautiful children's picture book with some fantastic information about an oak tree and six animals that live in it. The book talks about what happens with the tree and the animals over the course of a year - over each season.
Not only do children learn about the seasons but they learn about the life cycle of the tree and the animals.
At the back is a diagram of each life cycle of each animal and the tree too in easy to understand dialogue and pictures.
This is a great book for science topics, learning about trees and nature and life cycles.
A tree is a home is a beautiful children's picture book with some fantastic information about an oak tree and six animals that live in it. The book talks about what happens with the tree and the animals over the course of a year - over each season.
Not only do children learn about the seasons but they learn about the life cycle of the tree and the animals.
At the back is a diagram of each life cycle of each animal and the tree too in easy to understand dialogue and pictures.
This is a great book for science topics, learning about trees and nature and life cycles.
December 17, 2021
Since we may be collectively coming to agree more and more about the importance of trees to our survival, we wondered in this house what was happening with the education of children on this topic in picture books. And there are a lot of books out now for kids about trees. This one is good, useful, showing the life and seasonal cycles of one oak tree that is the home to six animals/birds. We also get to see the life cycles of all these creatures. Not a story, but an informational book, well done.
June 2, 2021
A beautiful illustrated children's book where they can learn how a tree is a home to many animals. It teaches how a tree grows and the life cycle of the tree. The animals that make a tree a home have their own life cycle and how a tree helps them survive.
A great book to read with your children and to learn about the world around them.
A special thank you to Kid's Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A great book to read with your children and to learn about the world around them.
A special thank you to Kid's Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
May 22, 2021
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really liked this book. It really shows kids the circle of life that is going on in their own neighborhood.
Great drawings and simple facts that explain how a tree is a how for certain animals and how those animals adapt to each season.
I recommend this for parents or teachers to teach children in a friendly way how the circle of life works.
#TreeIsaHomeA #NetGalley
I really liked this book. It really shows kids the circle of life that is going on in their own neighborhood.
Great drawings and simple facts that explain how a tree is a how for certain animals and how those animals adapt to each season.
I recommend this for parents or teachers to teach children in a friendly way how the circle of life works.
#TreeIsaHomeA #NetGalley
July 5, 2021
Digital ARC provided by Netgalley
It's hard to overestimate the importance of trees. They are among the oldest organisms on the planet, they clean the air, they reduce noise pollution, they improve water quality, they provide us with food, shade, building materials. And they are beautiful. Besides all this, the trees do some amazing things, which, however, we do not see, because they happen underground.
Trees are much more than we can see at the first sight and among the things we can see, trees are the home of many animals. In this short and beautiful book, the authors invites young readers to follow what happens within a tree and with the animals that found a home there during the four seasons.
It's hard to overestimate the importance of trees. They are among the oldest organisms on the planet, they clean the air, they reduce noise pollution, they improve water quality, they provide us with food, shade, building materials. And they are beautiful. Besides all this, the trees do some amazing things, which, however, we do not see, because they happen underground.
Trees are much more than we can see at the first sight and among the things we can see, trees are the home of many animals. In this short and beautiful book, the authors invites young readers to follow what happens within a tree and with the animals that found a home there during the four seasons.
October 3, 2021
What a fun and busy book! Through text and illustration the book tells the story of a tree as it passes through the year. We start in autumn, where the tree is described and shown with colorful leaves and acorns. We swiftly move to winter and bare branches and then on to leaves with spring and summer. What is happening with the tree is described and shown but also (!!) we get windows into what is happening inside and on the tree. A squirrel family finds a nest hole, bugs burrow and grow, birds fly in, nest and leave, and we even have an opossum hanging around. Science facts appear throughout with more at the end in the form of a glossary, life cycles of the tree and animals, and a list of what to read next.
June 18, 2021
This brilliantly designed, outstandingly illustrated book offers a thorough, yet uncomplicated journey through the biology and life cycle of an Oak tree and 6 of it's tenants: A raccoon, opossum, acorn weevil, gray squirrel, blue jay and chipmunk. It seamlessly carries us through each season describing the shift of the tree's features and how that impacts the critters dwelling within as well as how those critters move about their own lives, gathering food for the winter, settling in to hibernate, waking to find a mate and raise their young and starting the process all over again as the tree continues to be a stable, evolving home for each generation in it's own right.
I never imagined that in the years 2020 and 2021 I would find myself at home faced with the extraordinary task of introducing a bright eyed, ever curious kindergartener to the very basics of education. Yet that is exactly where I am and this book will be immediately added to our Science Curriculum once it becomes available, for my 5 year old. This story is an absolute boon as more and more families find themselves closely involved in their children's primary education and seeking complimentary materials for virtual and alternative educations. A beautiful, engaging way to bring seasons, plant life and animal life, as well as their interactions and necessity to one another, to life for young and middle grade readers.
I was provided with an electronic copy of A Tree Is a Home by Pamela Hickman by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the chance to review this title and couldn't open a tab fast enough to find Hickman's other titles to purchase and enjoy with my son.
I never imagined that in the years 2020 and 2021 I would find myself at home faced with the extraordinary task of introducing a bright eyed, ever curious kindergartener to the very basics of education. Yet that is exactly where I am and this book will be immediately added to our Science Curriculum once it becomes available, for my 5 year old. This story is an absolute boon as more and more families find themselves closely involved in their children's primary education and seeking complimentary materials for virtual and alternative educations. A beautiful, engaging way to bring seasons, plant life and animal life, as well as their interactions and necessity to one another, to life for young and middle grade readers.
I was provided with an electronic copy of A Tree Is a Home by Pamela Hickman by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the chance to review this title and couldn't open a tab fast enough to find Hickman's other titles to purchase and enjoy with my son.
May 19, 2021
Pleasant early biology book, that looks at a year in the life of an oak tree, and the animals, from the jay to the squirrel to the acorn weevil, that live courtesy of it. It's nice to see equal time being given to all the creatures, especially as they all pack up for the winter in varying degrees, and have different ideas of bringing up children, but I still think it missed a little something. The hinted-at storyline of the people moving into the house next to the tree didn't exactly lead to much, so perhaps I felt due something interesting there. Still, what I did see of the nature writing was fine, so a slight rounding-up makes it a four star success.
February 7, 2023
A Tree is a Home is a beautifully told and illustrated picture book for older children. Written by Pamela Hickman and illustrated by Zafouko Yamamoto, it tells the story of a year in the life of an oak tree and the animals that live in it.
It is written with a North American audience in mind, as the animals reflect what would be living in and around the tree there. However, that provides the opportunity for readers from other countries to have conversations about the different species we’d find and how their life cycles are the same or different.
The book makes a point of showing how the creatures’ bodies respond to the changing seasons, preparing for and surviving the winter.
I loved the illustrations and how they add more to the text, providing a background story. There is also a helpful glossary at the end, explaining nature words that some young readers may not know.
While the book feels very much like a story, there is a section that is more ‘fact’ at the end. This easy-to-read section of the book explains the life cycles of the tree and the creatures that live in it. You can follow along from the birth of the new animals through to them growing up, in a very age appropriate way. The book touches on how many years an animal can expect to live for, but doesn’t explicitly mention dying.
This is a good read for budding naturalists and children interested in the world around them. In a forest school setting, it would spark discussions about the seasons and what to look out for around a tree. I think it would make a great read sitting under an oak tree on a sunny day in autumn!
This review first appeared in The Practical Forest School: https://thepracticalforestschool.com/...
I received an advance copy via Netgalley in exchange for this review.
It is written with a North American audience in mind, as the animals reflect what would be living in and around the tree there. However, that provides the opportunity for readers from other countries to have conversations about the different species we’d find and how their life cycles are the same or different.
The book makes a point of showing how the creatures’ bodies respond to the changing seasons, preparing for and surviving the winter.
I loved the illustrations and how they add more to the text, providing a background story. There is also a helpful glossary at the end, explaining nature words that some young readers may not know.
While the book feels very much like a story, there is a section that is more ‘fact’ at the end. This easy-to-read section of the book explains the life cycles of the tree and the creatures that live in it. You can follow along from the birth of the new animals through to them growing up, in a very age appropriate way. The book touches on how many years an animal can expect to live for, but doesn’t explicitly mention dying.
This is a good read for budding naturalists and children interested in the world around them. In a forest school setting, it would spark discussions about the seasons and what to look out for around a tree. I think it would make a great read sitting under an oak tree on a sunny day in autumn!
This review first appeared in The Practical Forest School: https://thepracticalforestschool.com/...
I received an advance copy via Netgalley in exchange for this review.
October 21, 2021
As you all know by now, we love a great non-fiction picture book in our house. I love just leaving them in conspicuous places and watching The Bear and The Bee read them and then share all they have learned either by reading the words or just the pictures. A Tree is a Home by Pamela Hickman and Zafouko Yamamoto is a delightful non-fiction picture book about a year in the life of an oak tree.
What makes this book extra special is readers not only learn about the tree itself over the seasons but also about all of the creatures that make a home in the mighty oak. In this case, Pamela Hickman chose six different creatures (raccoon, acorn weevil, gray squirrel, opossum, chipmunk and blue jay) and shares with readers how they change and adapt throughout the year.
This lovely book reads like a story. You can also explore the book over and over again, perhaps choosing a new creature to learn about each time you read it. I love that it can spend a long time on bookshelves and create lots of learning opportunities as readers grow in confidence.
The illustrations by Zafouko Yamamoto are blooming with colour and interest. Readers have much to explore, each time they open the book there is something new to discover. Her illustrations are easy to read so even beginning readers and non readers can understand the life cycles of all of the living things in the story.
At the end there are defined life cycles for the oak tree and the six creatures featured in the story as well as a comprehensive glossary of the terms used throughout. Pamela Hickman has also included other books for readers to enjoy to continue their learning.
What makes this book extra special is readers not only learn about the tree itself over the seasons but also about all of the creatures that make a home in the mighty oak. In this case, Pamela Hickman chose six different creatures (raccoon, acorn weevil, gray squirrel, opossum, chipmunk and blue jay) and shares with readers how they change and adapt throughout the year.
This lovely book reads like a story. You can also explore the book over and over again, perhaps choosing a new creature to learn about each time you read it. I love that it can spend a long time on bookshelves and create lots of learning opportunities as readers grow in confidence.
The illustrations by Zafouko Yamamoto are blooming with colour and interest. Readers have much to explore, each time they open the book there is something new to discover. Her illustrations are easy to read so even beginning readers and non readers can understand the life cycles of all of the living things in the story.
At the end there are defined life cycles for the oak tree and the six creatures featured in the story as well as a comprehensive glossary of the terms used throughout. Pamela Hickman has also included other books for readers to enjoy to continue their learning.
June 4, 2022
This was a cute book that shows some of the many animals that live in trees in a fun way. Designed for grades K-3 it doesn’t just say “a bird lives in a tree” for example. It teaches you how animal bodies change to help them survive the winter, what happens when warm weather arrives after the winter, about when baby animals leave home, the life cycle of an oak tree and much much more.
I really like that with the illustrations you see not only the animals in the trees but a human family next to it. So when the seasons change and the animals have babies and such, the family changes too. For example at the beginning, a tree that shows not much life is shown beside an empty house that is for sale.
On the Autumn page, the tree shows coloured leaves and acorns while the house shows a family moving in. In the winter page the house looks more lived in and they have holiday lights in the windows. In the Spring a new baby has arrived to the house while all the animals in the tree have given birth or are about to.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I really like that with the illustrations you see not only the animals in the trees but a human family next to it. So when the seasons change and the animals have babies and such, the family changes too. For example at the beginning, a tree that shows not much life is shown beside an empty house that is for sale.
On the Autumn page, the tree shows coloured leaves and acorns while the house shows a family moving in. In the winter page the house looks more lived in and they have holiday lights in the windows. In the Spring a new baby has arrived to the house while all the animals in the tree have given birth or are about to.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 5, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the opportunity to review an Advanced Reader Copy of A Tree Is a Home by Pamela Hickman.
This book shows young readers how an oak tree can be a home for many different animals. Hickman's text and Yamamoto's illustrations follow the oak tree and its' inhabitants through the seasons and demonstrates the changes each organism goes through over time. The back of the book illustrates and describes the life cycle of the oak tree, raccoon, acorn weevil, opossum, gray squirrel, blue jay, and chipmunk. There is also a glossary to help young readers find the meaning of new vocabulary presented throughout the book.
This book would be a good addition to home, school, or classroom libraries because it covers several different topics including seasons, habitats, and life cycles. I would recommend this title for ages 5-8.
#TreeIsaHomeA #NetGalley
This book shows young readers how an oak tree can be a home for many different animals. Hickman's text and Yamamoto's illustrations follow the oak tree and its' inhabitants through the seasons and demonstrates the changes each organism goes through over time. The back of the book illustrates and describes the life cycle of the oak tree, raccoon, acorn weevil, opossum, gray squirrel, blue jay, and chipmunk. There is also a glossary to help young readers find the meaning of new vocabulary presented throughout the book.
This book would be a good addition to home, school, or classroom libraries because it covers several different topics including seasons, habitats, and life cycles. I would recommend this title for ages 5-8.
#TreeIsaHomeA #NetGalley
June 16, 2021
The world around us is an interconnected one, whether we refer to humans or the other organisms we live among. A Tree is a Home, by Pamela Hickman, is a lovely book for preschoolers about some of the many organisms which depend on trees. Set in North America, we see five different animals which use the oak tree as a home, and learn about the growth cycle of each animal, along with the tree. The full color illustrations in this book have a lovely child-like quality to them and add to the text. This book is more non-fiction than story while utilizing the visuals as a wonderful to reinforce what we are reading about.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by Kids Can Press. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by Kids Can Press. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
June 17, 2021
A Tree is a Home was a cute picture book depicting the life cycles of various small animals living within the same oak tree throughout the seasons of a year. A simple and straightforward book for young readers interested in nature or for homeschooling purposes to teach young ones about life cycles and seasons. The illustrations looked like they were done by a child which is indeed fitting for a children's book but I cannot say that I was a fan of the majority of the artwork within these pages.
I would recommend this book only if it was a topic a young reader was specifically interested in. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this book only if it was a topic a young reader was specifically interested in. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book was absolutely wonderful. It was really informative while also being really fun to read, so it is perfect for people of all ages. The art style was beautiful and I loved to learn more about all of the animals featured that call this tree a home.
I will definitely check out any other books by this author. I highly recommend this book!
This book was absolutely wonderful. It was really informative while also being really fun to read, so it is perfect for people of all ages. The art style was beautiful and I loved to learn more about all of the animals featured that call this tree a home.
I will definitely check out any other books by this author. I highly recommend this book!
May 26, 2021
A Tree Is a Home is a lovely book exploring the lives of six species and a tree throughout the seasons. I know my daughter would really enjoy this. I will be sure to put this on her list. Love that there's also a glossary at the end for the older readers.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook copy in exchange of a honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook copy in exchange of a honest review.
August 26, 2021
This book would be good for slightly older children to teach them about life cycles and seasons. It reads more like a non-fiction book than a story, with information on the lives of animals that live in the tree. I think this book would help to give children an appreciation of the importance of trees and the life it provides.
October 7, 2021
Readers follow animals that live in a tree through the four seasons. The illustrations are well done and essential for showing where animals can be found. My favorite one to follow and learn about was the acorn weevil. After getting facts about raccoons, opossum, acorn weevils, squirrels, blue jays and chipmunks throughout the book; we get their life cycles at the end of the book.
May 21, 2021
This is a lovely story about an Oak tree and the animals who use it for shelter and food throughout the different seasons. A very sweet and informative book. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 4, 2021
This book has beautiful pictures! My little people really enjoyed it, and it is a great way to learn about trees and the animals who live in them. I even learned something I didn't know before.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
July 12, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for a free digital copy.
Through the seasons a tree changes how it functions and so do the animals that call it home. A sweet little informational book about the cycle of a tree and it's in inhabitants during the year.
Through the seasons a tree changes how it functions and so do the animals that call it home. A sweet little informational book about the cycle of a tree and it's in inhabitants during the year.
November 18, 2021
The illustrations drew me to this book and they are gorgeous. I love the idea of the book but not the many animals and too much text would make it difficult to use as a read aloud in the classroom. It might work for older kid though.
June 27, 2023
I love that it breaks down the animals habits by each season. THUS, it not only shows how a tree changes throughout the seasons, but also the animals! Packed with info this book is good for that curious elementary kid that loves animals.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
October 13, 2021
Loved it! Beautiful book!
October 25, 2021
A lovely, accessible look at an oak tree and how its animal inhabitants change and grow over through the seasons.
February 21, 2022
Great for looking at life cycles and seasons. I liked the layout but a bit challenging for children's attention. I like the summary of Life cycles at the bag
November 17, 2022
Cute nonfiction about 6 animals living in a tree.
July 19, 2024
Beautiful pictures about the life cycle of an oak tree and the animals that depend on it to survive.
What animals/trees do in each season
An oak tree from beginning to end
What animals/trees do in each season
An oak tree from beginning to end
July 31, 2024
Sleepy almost-three-year-old made it, but I’d save it for kindergarten and up. Very thorough and detailed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews