Our Tree Named Steve

Title: Our Tree Named Steve

Author: Alan Zweibel

Illustrator: David Catrow

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780399237225,00.html

Publication Date: 2005

Genre: Science and Nature

Audience: Gr. PreK-2

Overview: The kids have gone away to visit their grandmother. Their father send them a note with good and bad news. He explains the past, present, and future of Steve. Steve is a tree. He was there when they decided to build a house, and the family just couldn't cut him down. The youngest sibling named him Steve and the name stuck. Dad explains how Steve was always there for the family. Perfect for tire swings, date locations, jump rope swinger, third base and more. The family loved Steve. Unfortunately, while the children are away Steve cracks and dies. Luckily he doesn't fall on the house, the parents thank Steve for that. In the letter Dad writes that though Steve does not stand tall like a regular tree, he has moved to a different part of the yard...as a tree house in another tree.

Activity: I think this is a great book to think about memories. It could be used as an art activity. Pick one memory and create a collage of all the great things you remember about it. Children love to tell stories and the majority of them are memories.

Reviewer's Name: Emily Trees