The Perfect Tree

by Chloe Bonfield

Jack is searching for the perfect tree-one that he can chop, hack, and stack! But when it becomes too hard to find, Jack stumbles across three unlikely friends who want to show him their perfect trees.In this lively, enchanting story, The Perfect Tree is a reminder to notice the wonders we often overlook, and to value our friendship with the natural world.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Kids

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Illustator and author working in London, UK.

Reviews

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack headed out to find the perfect tree, one that was just right to chop down for firewood. But he was having trouble finding that perfect tree. Jack finally sat down under a tree in the forest in despair. Then a woodpecker offered to help Jack find the perfect tree. She flew to a tree and after knocking on a branch all sorts of birds flew out of it. Then a squirrel said that he too could show Jack the perfect tree. Taking Jack into a great oak tree, the squirrel revealed his stash of nuts and berries for the winter. Next a spider showed Jack her favorite tree where a web hung filled with water drops. It was then that Jack was inspired by the rain to find another perfect tree that was just right to stay dry under.

Bonfield has written an ecology picture book that focuses not on how wrong it is to cut down trees, but instead how the definition of “perfect” means different things to different creatures. And how your appreciation of an object in a new way leads to changes in the way you see the world. I appreciate that the book does not lecture about the environment or appreciating nature. Instead the book focuses on the beauty of nature and how it can transform us if we pay attention.

Bonfield’s illustrations are amazing. Done in papercut images and collage, they form two and three dimensional structures and then are lit so that there are shadows that play against other parts of the illustration that glow. The result is a picture book landscape that feels immersive and tangible.

A clever look at the pursuit of perfection and the power of nature. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in The Perfect Tree! Bonfield combines physically created environments for her computer created characters to romp around it. The boy in this story goes on a quest to find the perfect tree to chop and stack. One his way, animals see what he's doing and lead him to their perfect trees. But their perfect trees are chosen for different reasons. In the end, the boy thinks each tree is perfect in its own way, so doesn't end up chopping any down.

Good for preschool or older kid storytimes.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, i love it. It is beautiful and so sweetly shows the web of life living in our trees/forests.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Bonfield has written an amazing book, that hits the perfect spot on so many levels! Looking for a perfect read aloud for Arbor day? Or maybe a book on conservation? Or animals that live in the woods? Well, you've found it! This tale of a woodcutter and his quest for the perfect tree ends in the way you'll expect, but it's so fun getting there. The illustrations are wonderfully evocative and have a pensive and thoughtful feel to them. A+

[Margaret]

While many of you may know the festivities for Earth Day 2016 will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016, you may not know about the theme for this year. It's called Trees for the Earth (#Trees4Earth). We are fighting to combat deforestation all around our planet. In the year 2020 Earth Day will be fifty years old. It is this organization's desire to plant 7.8 billion trees by that date.

With this in mind I would like to offer for your consideration three new titles focusing on trees and our wonderful planet Earth. The Perfect Tree (RP|Kids, January 5, 2016), a debut picture book, written and illustrated by Chloe Bonfield follows a boy named Jack on a quest. He finds answers he was not seeking.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book to teach children the wonders of nature and why we should revere and protect it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

K- Gr 2- What is the perfect tree? To young Jack, it is one worth cutting down. He searches high and low, but has no luck. Then, he reaches the forest, where some kindly animals guide him. They show him magnificent trees of varying shapes and sizes...they show him their homes. Jack learns that every single tree is valuable, not for its raw materials, but because they are living things, and so he leaves, grateful for this newfound wisdom. Even though this change of heart occurs rather suddenly, Bonfield's amazing visuals convince readers of Jack's sincerity. 3D multimedia art, unfocused backgrounds, silhouettes and shadows create that sense of depth and vastness that all great forests have. Bright blue sound effects, and dotted movement lines then imbue it with life. Finally, to top it all off, every page is full of colour and detail specific to the type of tree featured. Overall, the tone is rather light and fun, perfect for adventure and discovery. VERDICT A beautiful reminder to respect this most magnificent of living things, the tree.

*reviewed for School Library Journal

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book that some adults will think is beautiful, due to the illustrations, but that kids won't go for. I didn't go for it. The story was not especially moving or interesting and the illustrations were just too busy and the font of the text didn't mesh with the illustrations and so on.... I am surprised I am even giving this two stars!

[Cara Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mixed media illustrations are fantastic!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations as Jack begins by looking for a tree to chop down, but instead finds how trees are just perfect for the creatures who live in them.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Great way to tie in conservation, Arbor Day, habitat lessons as well as social/emotional lessons.

[Susan Eubank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for a story time about trees. Includes plant-animal interactions in a positive, imaginative way. Just slightly heavy handed in positive tree message.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t love the story but the colors and artwork were unique.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

lots of visual interest, explains how things can be useful and good in different ways

[Venus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Children's Atheneum

Beautifully illustrated, this book reminds me of the collages I used to imagine I was making as a child. Not that the collages were imaginary, but they were always so much better in my head than in real life. This is the real life representation of the art I always wished I could do. The story can be used an environmentally friendly book with many practical applications for storytimes or the classroom. I was a bit confused as to why young Jack was so intent on finding the "perfect tree" if he was just going to us it as firewood, but that is neither here nor there.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review and teaching tools at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=8841

The Perfect Tree is a book that I hope doesn’t go beneath the radar because it is a wonderful book with a positive theme and beautiful illustrations. Jack’s story makes the reader think about all the harm we do when we destroy the forest, but it does so without listing or preaching. It just shows. It mentions in her biography that Chloe Bonfield is fond of printmaking, and you can see this in her artwork that accompanies Jack’s story. It is mixed media, 3D, collage, and illustrated and just really takes the book to the next level.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack sets off to find the perfect tree to chop, hack and stack. Although he spends much time searching in the woods, he is unable to find one. Luckily he makes some new friends who show them their perfect trees. As they do this, Jack learns that trees have more perfection inside them then he could first imagine.
Bonfield's art is just stunning. It's a mixed media combination of paint, collage, three dimensional construction, lighting and digital enhancement. You are going to need to get this book to see how spectacularly it all comes together.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Nature: Trees

Jack loves to hack, chop, and stack wood. On the search for the perfect tree, several animals stop Jack to show him their perfect trees. He notices the unique features of the trees and rethinks his belief that trees are made for one purpose. The artwork feels slightly excessive, but mesmerizing.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little didactic, but still a good story. When Jack goes out in search of the perfect tree, it isn't a tree to climb or draw or hug, it's a tree to chop down and stack up. No tree looks perfect until the birds, the squirrels, and the spiders show Jack their trees. The next day Jack goes out in search of the perfect tree, but not a tree to chop and stack, a tree to climb and draw and love.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are what make this book beautiful. The story is...okay. A nice lesson about appreciating the beauty in nature and not just looking to break stuff for giggles. But the pictures are just lovely.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool illustrations, especially at the beginning of the story, but not a big fan of the font used and the story was so-so. Makes for an environmentally friendly lesson. Different creatures help Jack find "the perfect tree" and he realizes he'd rather enjoy them than chop them up.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

"So he put down his ax, for he needed it no more." Then he went home and froze to death. Haha, couldn't resist. This is actually a lovely story about someone learning new things and making different choices on the basis of that knowledge. Good stuff.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the atmosphere that the collages in this book created. It kind of felt like kids' paper and cardboard creations coming to life.
The text itself is quick to read, but if you are reading it as a bedtime story, your children may want to linger on the artwork.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't compelled by the story of this British import. The book featured cool paper art and the lovely subject of nature but the story fell a bit flat for me. And I was annoyed by the scroll-y, difficult-to-read font. Also, I am old and I may need readers. :)

[Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't say enough about this book. Love the change the character goes through as he learns about the trees and what they mean to others. Reminds us to take a step back and evaluate others needs before just fulfilling our own needs. Will read this book in story time and in k-4 classrooms!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book that reminds us how individual perfection is. The illustrations are such a unique collage style that works wonderfully for this story. I loved so much about this book.

[Roseann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite kind of illustrations...does tell a positive story, however, not one that will be used in a storytime for younger children

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will think twice about chopping down your next tree after you read this beautiful book.

[✨the one with all the books✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that have creative illustrations like The Perfect Tree.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enchanting illustrations, but while the text is good it doesn't match the quality of the art.