A review by misspentdays
The Alphabet Tree by Leo Lionni
Leo Lionni was awarded the Caldecott honor several times over his career as a writer and illustrator of books for children. His books often work on multiple levels, with simple illustrations young children enjoy and stories with a depth that make them enjoyable for older children. The Alphabet Tree is no different.
The conceit of the book is simple, a wind comes along and blows the letters off of their tree. This throws the letters into confusion and frightens them, until they learn how to make themselves into words from a caterpillar and a bug. After the letters learn to make words, they learn that words can make sentences and then they set off to deliver their message to the White House.
The text is simple, but packs a punch as you discover the overall message of the book. Originally published during the Vietnam War, this title maintains it's message and impact today, when we consider that these children have always lived in a nation at war.
While many use The Alphabet Tree with young children learning about word and sentence formation, it is also a good cross-curricular title for social studies when read as part of a lesson on civic engagement. Reading the story, then writing to their congress person (or a deployed soldier) makes an excellent family literacy activity for upper elementary children. One of the best aspects of this book is that it does work on several levels, making it essential for public and school libraries.
The conceit of the book is simple, a wind comes along and blows the letters off of their tree. This throws the letters into confusion and frightens them, until they learn how to make themselves into words from a caterpillar and a bug. After the letters learn to make words, they learn that words can make sentences and then they set off to deliver their message to the White House.
The text is simple, but packs a punch as you discover the overall message of the book. Originally published during the Vietnam War, this title maintains it's message and impact today, when we consider that these children have always lived in a nation at war.
While many use The Alphabet Tree with young children learning about word and sentence formation, it is also a good cross-curricular title for social studies when read as part of a lesson on civic engagement. Reading the story, then writing to their congress person (or a deployed soldier) makes an excellent family literacy activity for upper elementary children. One of the best aspects of this book is that it does work on several levels, making it essential for public and school libraries.