Our Tree

By Author / Illustrator

Jessica Meserve

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger

ISBN

9781838917173

Format

Hardback

Published

03-04-2025

Synopsis

A stunning celebration of tolerance, togetherness and the power of community from rising star Jessica Meserve. Little Red is delighted when he discovers a beautiful tree, all to himself! But he soon realises he is not on his own - animals of all sizes visit the tree to enjoy its shade, nibble on its leaves and rest on its branches. Little Red doesn't want to share; he'd rather set off to find a place of his own. But after a mildly perilous altercation with a leopard, Little Red learns the value of friends who have your back.

A gentle encouragement for the importance of sharing and acceptance with exquisite, detailed illustration that are perfect for poring over. Like Hey, Wall by Susan Verde and John Parra, Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy, Theresa Howell and Rafael Lopez, and Leaves by Stephen Hogtun, Our Tree is a picture book to treasure.

Reviews

Lauren

Our Tree is the beautiful new picture book from Jessica Meserve. The Tree acts as the centre of the whole community, providing a place of solace, comfort and protection. The squirrel, on the other hand, has a different idea and thinks that the tree is just for him.

This story shows how friendship and community is so important and when you need it most, it is there for you. Our Tree navigates through lots of different themes including friendship, manners, kindness, trust, empathy and so many more.

The story reminded me of an Aesop Fable and reading these as a child, being able to take something away from them. The illustrations are beautiful, bringing the story alive and showing the beauty in nature and all the animals within it. As we learn through its pages, 'Life was better together' - and I couldn't agree more.

Picture book / Reviewed by Lauren Maidman, teacher.

Sue

Little Red the squirrel scampers up Tree, declaring that it is all for him; however, Tree gently corrects him, pointing out a teeny-tiny caterpillar eating a leaf. Unhappy about sharing with caterpillar, Little Red is even more annoyed when Tree offers their branches for Swift to rest on. As more and more creatures arrive, Tree welcomes them all as Little Red's anger increases, until he decides to go and find a tree all of his own - until an altercation with a leopard sends a contrite Little Red back....

Our Tree is a wonderful celebration of sharing, tolerance and community whilst honouring the incredible role trees play in nature. As perfect for exploring with a class as for reading at home, there is so much to enjoy here. Children will love joining in with Tree saying, 'Look behind you!' as new creatures arrive, every bit as much as adults will enjoy reading it aloud.

A wonderful range of speech verbs - encouraged, rustled, trilled, barked, roared etc - is used, offering an excellent model for children writing their own stories or to support acting the story out, perhaps using puppets. There are plenty of opportunities for exploring character as well. The story could also be used to support learning about the key role trees play in hosting a wonderfully diverse range of creatures, encouraging children to explore the trees in their locality.

Throughout the book, the illustrations are an absolute delight with plenty to linger over, discuss and enjoy. Tree and Little Red are vividly brought to life with wonderfully expressive faces as Little Red learns the importance of sharing and the power of community action! What a fabulous book!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher