Treehouses

Treehouse Town written by Gideon Sterer

A child explores the magical world of Treehouse Town–from Sap Street to Willow Way–where all children and animal inhabitants work together and have fun.

My Mommies Built a Treehouse written by Peter Gareth

A boy and his mothers build a treehouse fit for a prince.

The Tree House That Jack Built written by Bonnie Verburg

With ladders, swings, turrets, and elaborate pulley systems everywhere–animals chase one another over, under, around, and through the tree house that Jack has built. Then the bell rings, and all the animals gather for story time with Jack.

Everything You Need for a Treehouse written by Carter Higgins

A tree, timber, tools, a rope of twisted twine and all things you need to build a treehouse–but most of all you need time and imagination.

That Neighbor Kid written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares

In this nearly wordless picture book, a young girl spies on her new neighbor, a young boy who is building something from planks of the fence between their backyards.

Secret Tree Fort written by Brianne Farley

There’s a secret tree fort and you’re not invited! In this hilarious and hugely imaginative sibling story from the creator of the internationally celebrated Ike’s Incredible Ink, two sisters are told to go and play outside on a beautiful day. The little sister wants them to play together – but the big sister, instead, wants to sit under a tree with a book. So the younger sister decides to tempt her with a description of her super-cool, super-secret tree fort. Just what will it take to get her sister to look up? The promise of a water-balloon launcher in case of attack? A trapdoor to look at the stars? A crow’s nest where they can see how many whales pass by or watch for pirates? Or the very best part of all, which can’t be revealed, because it’s a secret?

The Tree: A Fable written and illustrated by Neal Layton

The tree. Home to a family of birds in their nest, squirrels in their drey and rabbits in their burrow. But what happens to the animals when a man and woman decide to cut it down and use it for their dream house? Can the tree be home to both the animals and the humans?

Flashlight Night written by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Flashlight Night is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house–braver, closer, and wiser than before–to read the books that inspired their adventure.

The Monster Next Door written and illustrated by David Soman

In a big field, a boy has a tree house, and one day, he has a neighbor–a monster with a talent for silly dances and funny faces. The two become fast friends, even setting up a pulley line to pass notes between their tree houses. The boy knows just how to celebrate this invention–with music! But the monster’s tuba music is loud. Really loud. WAY. TOO. LOUD. Before the boy can think, he hurls a water balloon at his neighbor to get him to stop. An epic water-balloon fight ensues, until the boy–fed up, spent, done–cuts the pulley line. No more note-passing. No more monster. Can the boy and monster ever be friends again?

Flashlight Night written by Matt Forrest Esenwine

Flashlight Night is an ode to the power of imagination and the wonder of books. Three children use a flashlight to light a path around their backyard at night; in the flashlight’s beam another world looms. Our heroes encounter spooky woods, a fearsome tiger, a time-forgotten tomb, an Egyptian god, a sword-fighting pirate, and a giant squid. With ingenuity, they vanquish all, then return to their tree house–braver, closer, and wiser than before–to read the books that inspired their adventure.

Cardboard Craft Tree Houses: https://artprojectsforkids.org/cardboard-kittens/

1st Grade Tree Houses: https://dalimoustache.blogspot.com/2012/05/1st-grade-tree-houses.html

Tree House Collage: https://leahnewtonart.com/2019/06/13/tree-house-collage-art-lesson-project-for-kids/

The Lives of Trees

All Kinds of Special written by Tammi Sauer

Mia discovers the joy of community and friendship when she and Mama share the delicious fruit from their mango tree with their new neighbors.

The More You Give written by Marcy Campbell

A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picture book shows how family love is passed down from generation to generation.

Nell Plants a Tree written by Anne Wynter

Three generations of a family grow up and come together around one pecan tree.

The Tree and the River written and illustrated by Aaron Becker

In an alternate past–or possible future–a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change. A family farms the fertile valley. Soon, a village sprouts, and not long after, a town. Residents learn to harness the water, the wind, and the animals in order to survive and thrive. The growing population becomes ever more industrious and clever, bending nature itself to their will and their ambition: redirecting rivers, harvesting lumber, reshaping the land, even extending daylight itself.

The Together Tree written by Aisha Saeed

Rumi’s family has moved to a new town and he is feeling lonely and left out at school because one of the other kids, Asher, is a bully–until Sebastian joins him, drawing in the dirt under the old willow tree.

The City Tree written by Shira Boss

A newly planted sidewalk tree in the city transforms the neighborhood as residents nurture it through the seasons.

I Live in a Tree Trunk written by Meg Fleming

“I live in a tree trunk. I live in a barn. I live in a shoebox. I’m down on the farm… Soon all the other animals can’t help but share what their homes are called, too. Readers will learn about porcupines, salamanders, groundhogs, and more. But when the rabbit, platypus, and meerkat realize their homes share the same name, they can’t believe it. “Are you for SURE? I had NO clue!” becomes a catchy, energetic refrain readers will love chanting.

My Mommies Built a Treehouse written by Gareth Peter

A boy and his mothers build a treehouse fit for a prince.

My Dad is a Tree written and illustrated by Jon Agee

A little girl convinces her dad to be a tree all day long, no matter what, even in the rain, in this imaginative picture book that encourages playing pretend and pays tribute to parents.

Nonfiction:

Rise to the Sky: how the world’s tallest trees grow up written by Rebecca E Hirsch

Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky. Accompanied by Mia Posada’s detailed collage illustrations, this book features the tallest tree species from around the world, including the coast redwood, the Sitka spruce, and the giant sequoia.

One Million Trees: a true story written by Kristen Balouch

A true story about when the author was a little girl and she and her family traveled to Canada to help plant trees to replace ones that had been removed by loggers.

Listen to the Language of the Trees: a story of how forests communicate underground

Readers will discover that trees have their own social network, and helping one another thrive is trending. The fascinating mycorrhizal fungi network runs underground through the forest via the roots of trees, allowing for connection and communication.

Learning about trees: https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/blog/learning-about-trees-a-guest-post

Learning about forests: http://lifelivedinunknown.blogspot.com/2011/07/learning-about-temperant-forests.html

Nature activities for kids: https://www.kcedventures.com/nature-activities-for-kids-trees-animal-habitats/

Leaf print art: https://theimaginationtree.com/leaf-printing-art/

Trees and Leaves

Leif and the Fall written by Allison Sweet Grant

Leif is a leaf. A worried leaf. It is autumn, and Leif is afraid to fall. “All leaves fall in the fall,” say the other leaves. But Leif is determined to find a different way down, and with his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute in hopes of softening his landing. The clock is ticking; the wind is blowing. What will happen when a gust of wind pulls Leif from his branch?

Mustafa written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

After leaving his war-torn country with his family, Mustafa visits a park near his new home and finds beautiful flowers, lady bugs, fall leaves, and finally, a friend.

Yellow Time written and illustrated by Lauren Stringer

A lyrical ode to that magical time in autumn when the leaves turn yellow.

In the Middle of Fall written by Kevin Henkes

Introduces concepts and vocabulary of fall–autumn colors, changes in plants and animals … and wind, which soon leads to the next season.

Little Elliot, Fall Friends written and illustrated by Mike Curato

Elliot the little elephant and his best friend, Mouse, play hide-and-seek during an autumn vacation in the countryside.

Bella’s Fall Coat written by Lynn Plourde

A picture book about the fall season, centering on Bella, a little girl who has outgrown but does not want to give up her favorite coat made by her grandmother, and how she deals with the inevitable change to something new

Nonfiction

A Forest in the City written by Andrea Curtis

Imagine a city draped in a blanket of green … Is this the city you know?” This beautiful book of narrative non-fiction looks at the urban forest, starting with a bird’s-eye view of the tree canopy, then swooping down to street level, digging deep into the ground, then moving up through a tree’s trunk, back into the leaves and branches. It discusses the problems that city trees face such as the abundance of concrete, poor soil and challenging light conditions. It traces the history of trees in cities over time, showing how industrialization and the growth of populations in urban centers led to the creation of places like Central Park in New York City, where people could enjoy nature and clean air.

Forest Club Fall: a season of activities, crafts, and exploring nature written by Kris Hirschmann

Welcome to Forest Club! Fall is always a good time to discover nature. Head outside and start exploring–what can you see? What can you smell? What can you hear? With outdoor activity ideas, creative crafts, and inspiring nature information, Forest Club encourages children to connect with the outdoors.

Discover the Forest activities: https://discovertheforest.org/activities

Easy Fall Leaf Science Experiment: https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/fall-leaf-science-experiment-for-kids/

How Do Leaves Breathe? A Simple Science Experiment for Kids: https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/how-do-leaves-breathe-a-simple-science-experiment-for-kids

How to Make Leaf Prints: Fall Crafts for Kids: https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/making-leaf-prints-the-quickest-and-most-beautiful-fall-project-ever

An Apple a Day!

Apple by Nikki McClure

Up, Up, Up! It’s Apple Picking Time by Jodi Fickes Shapiro

Find some ap”peel”ing preschool apple science activities here:

http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2014/08/apple-preschool-science-experiments.html

http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/apples/apple_science.htm

Arbor Day! Earth Day!

Earth Day Birthday by Maureen Wright

We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow

After reading the first book, select some activities from:

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/h_earth-day.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/earthday/

After reading the second book, examine some ways trees get planted other than by people:

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/shapes/easyshapestrees.htm

which includes:

http://extension.illinois.edu/trees1/25.html

Or, collect maple helicopters, oak acorns, pine cones, etc., to use with a magnifying glass.

Tree Life Cycle

Picture a Tree by Barbara Reid

Copy or draw a picture of a big tree with lots of branches.  Have each child “dress up” the tree with their own artistic ideas.  Perhaps leaves, kites, apples, blossoms, birds, or animals will be used.