Once I Was a Tree

This book is the PERFECT mix of laugh-out-loud humour and a very poignant story about the importance of trees, and stories. The paper within the book - which was once a tree - tells the story as a first person narrative; a really creative read!

We hear all about the journey from beginning as a seed with lots of unforeseen twists and turns along the way which eventually ends in the pine tree being cut down and made into paper, and the book we are reading.

Once I Was A Tree is a fun book to share with children, with the illustrations on the pages ranging from being portrait to landscape. The machine that turns the logs into books is a firm favourite amongst my class. It will fascinate any budding inventors!  The layout of the text makes for an appealing read too as it varies in size and boldness as well as where the text is placed on the page. For example, the words bounce down the cliff to demonstrate the journey of the seed.

And as if this story hadn't already given us enough… it ends with highlighting the importance of books and reading for pleasure – what more could we ask for! I'd highly recommend this book for any home bookshelf or classroom reading area. It's been read and read over and over again already!

Picture book / Reviewed by Jessica Bunney, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Once I Was a Tree is a beautifully illustrated picture book with details that add to the power of the narrative and message. The front cover has a wonderful range of textures which immediately peeked my interest. Inside its pages, humour is added to seed's journey into becoming a tree through Tree's narration, some brilliant supporting characters, and details in the changes in font, word placement and characters' expressions. I particularly enjoyed the text placement detailing where the little seed bumped its head. I know that children will all giggle at the mention of poo and the though of Barbara rolling it will only add to this.

While the process in which the seed becomes a tree which in turn becomes the book in your hand is complex, the author's approach - the tree itself tells its story - and careful word choice makes it easy to follow and clear to the reader. In the classroom, this would be a useful book to use to start a discussion when studying materials in KS1.

With its humour, beautiful illustrations and its useful introduction to the life cycle of a tree, Once I Was a Tree would be a joy to have in any classroom and home. 

Picture book / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+