The Big Tree

I Like to Read Comics

by Laura Knetzger

How do you cheer up a friend?

Kittens Max, Cantaloupe, and Melon love the Big Tree. In spring, they climb it. In summer, they stargaze on it. In autumn, they play in its leaves. It’s always been there.

But now the Big Tree is sick. Really sick. And Melon and Cantaloupe’s parents have to cut it down.

Max is sad to lose the Big Tree, but he’s even sadder for his friends. The Big Tree was in their yard for their whole lives—it was their friend. More than anything, Max wants to cheer them up. He thinks about it and thinks about it, and finally it comes to with some allowance money, some elbow grease, and a lot of beautiful potted plants, he can help them grow new and beautiful flowers in their sunny backyard!

A sensitive and age-appropriate story about loss, friendship, and the power of kindness, THE BIG TREE is a perfect text for teaching beginning readers emotional intelligence, change acceptance, and the value of positive action. A touching and brightly drawn beginner comic from Ignatz Nominee Laura Knetzger, THE BIG TREE is heartfelt, tender, and warm.

Comics-lovers can now share the fun with their kids, students, siblings, and younger friends who are learning to read!

I Like to Read® Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds.

I Like to Read® Comics, like their award-winning I Like to Read® counterpart, are created by celebrated artists and support reading comprehension to transform children into lifelong readers.

We hope that all new readers will say, “I like to read comics!”

Genres: Graphic Novels, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2022

About the author

Laura Knetzger graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2012. She has worked as a storyboard artist for Adventure Time. She lives in Seattle and makes comics about feelings.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three friends play in the shade of a huge tree. One day they learn that the tree is sick and will need to be cut down. What can they do, they will miss the tree so much!

OK story and meh illustrations. I was hoping for a little stronger ecological ending, or at least a ring counting of the tree (they wondered about it, but never gave a count.) The characters are cats.

Crossposted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

As another reviewer mentioned, I was looking for a bit more from this story, and maybe even a science connection regarding the tree rings or more about why the tree wasn't healthy or so unhealthy that the entire thing had to be cut down. At any rate, this short title for beginning readers, part of the "I Like to Read" series, does provide suggestions for how to help someone's friends feel better when they are blue. That said, I'd also point out that sometimes it's also okay to allow others to feel their feelings and not dismiss them. In this graphic novel, Max and his friends Cantaloupe and Melon, Cantaloupe's little sister, usually spend much of their free time playing in or around the big tree in Cantaloupe's family's back yard. But to Max's surprise, the tree must be removed, leaving his friends disconsolate. Max finds a way to comfort them by bringing all sorts of potted plants there. Now that the tree's shade doesn't cover the area, Max figures that this new garden and new life will thrive. And while that's certainly true and a good example of making lemonade out of lemons, it would seem to me that the tree's shade and comfort will still be missed. It takes a long time for a tree to grow to that height. For me, the story was just okay, and the artwork lacked appeal for my eyes. That might not be the case for youngsters, however.

[Kelly]

Hmm, interesting story and illustrations for an early reader. Not typical, but not bad. The story kept me engaged.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Erica Flory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the artwork

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read comic.
Big tree is cut down.
Sadness.
Friendship.