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This Tree Counts!
If you listen closely, the lone tree behind Oak Lane School has a story to tell. It starts with one owl, two spiders, and goes all the way up to ten earthworms using the tree as their home! So what does this tree need? Learn about the importance of trees and count from one to ten in this tale about going green.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Alison Ashley Formento
7 books19 followersAlison Ashley Formento is the author of the young adult novel TWIGS (Merit Press), and award-winning picture books THIS TREE COUNTS!, THIS TREE 1, 2, 3, THESE BEES COUNT!, THESE SEAS COUNT! and THESE ROCKS COUNT! (Albert Whitman & Co.). She's written for The New York Times, Parenting, The Writer and several other magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 23, 2019
Nice counting book with an environmental message.
September 24, 2019
This Tree Counts is about this tree by a school but it was lonely so one of the classes teachers decide to plant more. Mr. Tate the teacher told all of his student his tree has a story to share with all them. A lot of the kids don't believe trees can talk. They listen carefully and they hear all the things the tree has to say. The tree goes from 1- 10 on all the things the tree has inside or on the tree. This book can teach kids how to count and can teach students what trees can provide for us. The illustrations were full of many things to look at, for every page that the tree counted it showed the things on the tree. The people look more cartoony which can make it fun to look at. I would recommend this book for younger ages 1st-3rd grade, You could use this book when talking about trees or nature or even learning to count.
January 18, 2021
A counting book that also talks about planting trees (because the big tree needs a friend?) and what things trees do for us.
Counts 1-10 using words, no numerals. Easy to see what is being counted, though.
Don't love them putting their ears to the tree to listen to it. It's hard to see all the living things in and around the tree if you have your ear to the trunk.
Not fond of "Five caterpillars inch by, building new cocoons".
1. They're not inching when they're building
2. There are 5 caterpillars and 3 chrysalises in the picture
3. A student comments that they'll turn into butterflies (and this is not remarked on, so we're to assume it's correct). Butterflies come from a chrysalis, not a cocoon. And you don't build a chrysalis, you molt into it.
Counts 1-10 using words, no numerals. Easy to see what is being counted, though.
Don't love them putting their ears to the tree to listen to it. It's hard to see all the living things in and around the tree if you have your ear to the trunk.
Not fond of "Five caterpillars inch by, building new cocoons".
1. They're not inching when they're building
2. There are 5 caterpillars and 3 chrysalises in the picture
3. A student comments that they'll turn into butterflies (and this is not remarked on, so we're to assume it's correct). Butterflies come from a chrysalis, not a cocoon. And you don't build a chrysalis, you molt into it.
March 19, 2023
Why would someone named Rose RoseTREE fall in like with this book?
Because it's downright enchanting, not only informative. Right from the endpapers at front and back, I'm impressed with the beauty, clarity, and elegance of those tree drawings.
Counting is part of the educational story, of course. So much life is packed into the life of one tree! And the ending is just perfect.
Author Alison Formento and artist Sarah Snow, thank you once again.
Because it's downright enchanting, not only informative. Right from the endpapers at front and back, I'm impressed with the beauty, clarity, and elegance of those tree drawings.
Counting is part of the educational story, of course. So much life is packed into the life of one tree! And the ending is just perfect.
Author Alison Formento and artist Sarah Snow, thank you once again.
November 28, 2020
I really like this book for younger age groups! It can be used to develop basic reading and number counting skills. Children can read sentences about numbers and count the associated item from the pictures! The story also describes different types of trees and be utilized as a story time in conjunction with a general science lesson.
November 21, 2019
I thought this was a cute book. It can be used to teach children the importance of trees. A lot of animals make their homes in trees. It can also be used to teach about the different animals that use trees for their homes.
January 21, 2021
A counting book about all the life surrounding trees and about why we might want to plant trees.
Some errors about moths vs butterflies, cocoons vs a chrysalis, and how those form. And not all Christmas trees are firs!
Some errors about moths vs butterflies, cocoons vs a chrysalis, and how those form. And not all Christmas trees are firs!
May 2, 2018
A good book for talking about the animals that live in a tree. But the storyline with the class planting a tree was kind of bland.
December 19, 2024
There’s a tree what can I hear in it? Does the tree count?
November 13, 2025
Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 11-12-2025
November 29, 2011
Caldecott Award book:
This Tree Counts is about a classroom that goes outside to observe a tree. The underlying message of the book is about taking care of our Earth. I would definitely nominate this book for the 2011 Caldecott Award because not only does it meet all the concrete criteria (such as the author and illustrator are both citizens of the United States and that it was published in 2010 in the U.S) but it also meets the abstract guidelines as well. The story line definitely lends itself to a child audience by using words that are easy to understand as well as illustrations that detail what it going on in the book. The pictures are intricate collages that absolutely enthrall the reader and keep their focus on the story which makes a big difference when reading to small children. What I loved most about this book was that the message was subtle and didn't bombard that audience with obvious statements, but yet still got the what the author had to say across by talking about the reasons why it is important to take care of our earth, by listening to the different animals that lived in the tree.
This Tree Counts is about a classroom that goes outside to observe a tree. The underlying message of the book is about taking care of our Earth. I would definitely nominate this book for the 2011 Caldecott Award because not only does it meet all the concrete criteria (such as the author and illustrator are both citizens of the United States and that it was published in 2010 in the U.S) but it also meets the abstract guidelines as well. The story line definitely lends itself to a child audience by using words that are easy to understand as well as illustrations that detail what it going on in the book. The pictures are intricate collages that absolutely enthrall the reader and keep their focus on the story which makes a big difference when reading to small children. What I loved most about this book was that the message was subtle and didn't bombard that audience with obvious statements, but yet still got the what the author had to say across by talking about the reasons why it is important to take care of our earth, by listening to the different animals that lived in the tree.
February 15, 2014
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the local library this week.
I LOVED the first half of this book. The dialogue was a little stilted at first even in the first half, but once the tree started "talking" all was forgiven. Then the stilted dialogue came back with a vengeance. It might have been better if the author just turned narrator to give the facts about trees, because Mr. Tate went from being the coolest teacher ever to becoming the most boring teacher ever. Poor Mr. Tate.
The illustrations were very good, and suited the first half of the book very well. More humor in the illustrations MIGHT have saved the second half, but that is asking a lot from the illustrator. Still, I would have appreciated the effort.
I LOVED the first half of this book. The dialogue was a little stilted at first even in the first half, but once the tree started "talking" all was forgiven. Then the stilted dialogue came back with a vengeance. It might have been better if the author just turned narrator to give the facts about trees, because Mr. Tate went from being the coolest teacher ever to becoming the most boring teacher ever. Poor Mr. Tate.
The illustrations were very good, and suited the first half of the book very well. More humor in the illustrations MIGHT have saved the second half, but that is asking a lot from the illustrator. Still, I would have appreciated the effort.
April 3, 2013
In this simple text, readers count the number of animals--one owl, two spiders, three squirrels, all the way up to ten earthworms--that rely on the tree in the backyard of Oak Lane School. The words the author has chosen to describe the activity of the animals help readers pay attention to how the earthworms, for instance, are "munching rich moist soil" (unpaged). The story itself is built around Mr. Tate and his students as they listen to the tree's story and plant more saplings. The color-drenched illustrations show off the beauty of the outdoors and that mighty oak tree that provides a home to so many.
February 5, 2015
This Tree Counts! could be a great teaching tool for various reasons, it could be used to teach counting, about trees, and caring for trees. I loved how the illustrated, Sarah Snow, made sure the number that was on the page had the corresponding number of animals in the picture which would be vital in teaching children counting. This book gives many opportunities for students to ask questions and foster their own learning as the students in the book did. I believe Alison Formento and Sarah Snow did a great job making a teaching tool for many to use!
October 12, 2010
--grades K-2
--an old tree behind the school is home to count-able animals.
--what’s countless are the ways this one tree makes a difference in people’s lives.
--cleaning the air, growing food for people or animals, providing building materials
--children plant new trees so there can be more of a good thing.
--Arbor Day/Earth Day unit
--an old tree behind the school is home to count-able animals.
--what’s countless are the ways this one tree makes a difference in people’s lives.
--cleaning the air, growing food for people or animals, providing building materials
--children plant new trees so there can be more of a good thing.
--Arbor Day/Earth Day unit
February 2, 2013
Audience: Primary
Appeal to: A lesson that has to do with Earth day, or the importance of taking care of our environment
Application: I think this book would be great to read during an Earth day lesson. It really teaches the students the importance of trees
Award: 2013 Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee
Appeal to: A lesson that has to do with Earth day, or the importance of taking care of our environment
Application: I think this book would be great to read during an Earth day lesson. It really teaches the students the importance of trees
Award: 2013 Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee
May 2, 2013
A class of schoolchildren plants trees to keep the mature oak on campus company. Through firsthand experiences with the tree and class discussion the children learn what trees do and which creatures call a tree their home.
This is a great go green read aloud with collage artwork. The collage spreads add texture and incite interest in the subject.
This is a great go green read aloud with collage artwork. The collage spreads add texture and incite interest in the subject.
August 19, 2010
Great art, but this is too much of a "let's cram every educational gimmick we can find into one book", which detracts sadly from the story.
Too long for toddlers, probably useful for teachers of older preschool/early elementary.
Too long for toddlers, probably useful for teachers of older preschool/early elementary.
September 25, 2010
A combination counting and environmental picture book. The text and pictures are well intertwined. Some of the dialogue is stilted; but the combination of artwork styles gives the book a homey feel.
May 12, 2011
A great book if you are talking about trees and their importance to the environment. I liked the story, but this book didn't wow me. I think that it tried to be more touching than it actually is. A good book to read for Arbor Day or Earth Day.
March 13, 2012
I thought it was a counting book, but then it tries to be about the importance of trees as well. Not cohesive enough for younger readers. I really like the art, except for the pages where it shows the newly planted trees - they are too close together to grow up.
September 10, 2012
This is a great book for little guys about how important trees are. Would be great for Earth Day or Spring or to pair with the Lorax. It lends itself perfectly for a felt story - but the illustrations are so dear, I might incorporate both. I really like these books!
November 27, 2012
On a aimé cette livre mais c'était un peu trop longue pour lire avec dormir pour les enfants. L'histoire était bon pour étudier pourquoi les arbres sont important pour plusieur animaux et les peuples.
July 27, 2016
Originally rated G by Virginia Lambeth
When a class ventures outdoors behind their school to plant trees, they learn about all the different ways that trees contribute to our environment. Sarah Snow's flat, mixed media illustrations move the story along.
When a class ventures outdoors behind their school to plant trees, they learn about all the different ways that trees contribute to our environment. Sarah Snow's flat, mixed media illustrations move the story along.
March 26, 2016
Informational #6
This book is about a group of kids and their teacher planting trees. A boy leans his ear up to a tree and "hears" all of the reasons that trees are useful. I like this book because it connects how trees are not only important to people, but to tons of animals as well.
This book is about a group of kids and their teacher planting trees. A boy leans his ear up to a tree and "hears" all of the reasons that trees are useful. I like this book because it connects how trees are not only important to people, but to tons of animals as well.
February 19, 2010
A very nice way for kids to look at trees and their importance to life. Every tree counts!
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April 17, 2010trees, school, environment, counting to ten
August 20, 2010
Best for young school age.
September 22, 2010
A great book about the importance of trees - from ecology to the supplies their wood provides. The trees whispering their stories to the kids is my favorite part :)
May 9, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and felt that my 6 year old learned a great lesson about how every single tree has a variety of important functions. A great book for Earth Day and year round!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews