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mssarareads's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kindredbooks's review
3.0
I received a copy of The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed and illustrated by LeUyen Pham from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Rumi is at a new school and finds himself alone outside at recess. His classmates are not very kind and even those who do not partake in the unkindness only stand by and watch. When a situation is taken too far and Rumi is hurt, finally a kind hand is reached out. Rumi is finally able to make friends and get along with his classmates. He, in turn, reaches out to a classmate who is now on the outskirts as well.
In reading the author's note, I can see the really good intentions that went into this story. It is a story about kindness, about bullying on the playground, and about helping kids learn how to help others and themselves. I thought that The Together Tree does make its message known - and it will be a good story to spark conversation with young children about bullying and being kind to one another. There should definitely be a follow up discussion about some of the actions that happened in the story as it did seem like there were no consequences or meaningful resolutions for the mistakes and bullying that occurred in the story,
Rumi is at a new school and finds himself alone outside at recess. His classmates are not very kind and even those who do not partake in the unkindness only stand by and watch. When a situation is taken too far and Rumi is hurt, finally a kind hand is reached out. Rumi is finally able to make friends and get along with his classmates. He, in turn, reaches out to a classmate who is now on the outskirts as well.
In reading the author's note, I can see the really good intentions that went into this story. It is a story about kindness, about bullying on the playground, and about helping kids learn how to help others and themselves. I thought that The Together Tree does make its message known - and it will be a good story to spark conversation with young children about bullying and being kind to one another. There should definitely be a follow up discussion about some of the actions that happened in the story as it did seem like there were no consequences or meaningful resolutions for the mistakes and bullying that occurred in the story,
bookingwithjanelle's review
5.0
This book is a great read for kids struggling with change & teaches a valuable lesson about inclusion & diversityIt also does something wonderful in expressing how unkind words and actions can hurt others, but in the same breath showing compassion allows more kindness to be shared with everyone.
Just because someone looks and/or acts different doesn’t mean they are less. If you get to know someone, you can discover something new and wonderful. This is a beautifully illustrated book that provides social-emotional learning skills such as social awareness and responsible decision-making. It also is a quick, easy read to provide great engagement for anyone reading it.
I’m definitely sharing it with my students
Just because someone looks and/or acts different doesn’t mean they are less. If you get to know someone, you can discover something new and wonderful. This is a beautifully illustrated book that provides social-emotional learning skills such as social awareness and responsible decision-making. It also is a quick, easy read to provide great engagement for anyone reading it.
I’m definitely sharing it with my students
barberchicago_books's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of the best picture books I’ve read this year. Based on the author’s experience with her young son, The Together Tree will be perfect as a beginning-of-the-year read aloud about community, inclusion, and ways bystanders can move past watching and into action. After all, kindness is a verb.
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