A Tree Is Nice

by Janice May Udry

Other authorsMarc Simont (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 1956

Status

Available

Call number

PBP37

Publication

HarperCollins (1956), Hardcover, 32 pages

Description

Briefly describes the value of a tree.

User reviews

LibraryThing member MarieliGoodner
This book is not only about how nice trees are but it is also about how trees are used by everyone, including animals. There are no characters in this book. This book's illustrations convey exactly what the author had printed. Every two pages are printed in black and white pictures. This book tells
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us about where trees are located, what people like to use them for, and the changes the leaves make in the summer.

As a kid growing up, our house had a huge pecan tree in the backyard which was perfect for climbing. This book reminds me of the fun times that my neighborhood friends and I had climbing that tree because we were hiding from my brothers. This book also tells about a treehouse. What kid wouldn't love to have a treehouse???

As an extension, I would take my students on a nature walk to gather different types of leaves. In the classroom, we would do a leaf rubbing project with crayons. Another idea would be for the class to participate in donating and planting a tree for the school.
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LibraryThing member jojamo
Summary: “A Tree Is Nice” tells where one can find trees, and how trees can be beneficial to animals, people and homes. Trees provide shade and shelter for many animals, fruit and entertainment for people, and shade and protection for homes. The story tells how trees have function and effect
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everyday living. This story also shows how a tree changes with the different seasons. Last, but not least, the story tells how to plant a tree, watch it grow and encourages others to plant trees too.

Personal reaction: I had never thought of how many roles a tree can play in our everyday lives, this book really brings out many of the ways that trees benefit people and the world around them. The book was unique in the shape of the book – tall and narrow, like a tree. The illustrations were water color and alternating every other page from color to black and white. Thick vertical lines were used to show the strength of trees.

Classroom extension: 1. I would use “A Tree is Nice” in a study about trees. Around Arbor Day students could plant a tree and watch it grow throughout the years. 2. I would use this book in study about recycling and saving trees. Students could visit a recycling plant and learn of other things besides paper that can be recycled.
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LibraryThing member rjmcwhorter1
This is a sweet little book that emphasizes the importance and fun of nature. It not only encourages children to spend less time around electronic entertainment, but it explains things that occur with each season, so it can also be a learning lesson on weather and months of the year.
LibraryThing member rsamet
This Caldecott Medal winning picture book is a beautiful tribute to the way that trees make our lives better, and is perfect for Arbor Day or Tu Bishvat celebrations, or for any day of the year. The stunningly vibrant watercolors alternated with bold black and white line drawings by illustrator
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Marc Simont absolutely capture the beauty of the landscapes filled with trees, and the people and animals enjoying them. The text is simple and descriptive, and this book will appeal to children from ages 4 through 8.
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LibraryThing member Bookwormeater
Great to read on earth day. This book states a lot of the benefits of trees, for example, shade, climbing in, and getting fruit from. This book would be great to teach student to take care of our environment.
LibraryThing member mcivalleri
I liked this book. The illustrations reminded me of the free feeling I had as a kid...napping under a tree, climbing a tree, etc. The idea of appreciating something for all of its facets is something that will be valuable for those young readers. I would recommend this book.
LibraryThing member petajaye
Tree huggers, take notice, this one is for you!
LibraryThing member MarthaL
Appropriately a tall shaped picture book that presents the value of trees in so many ways. Lumber is not mentioned. the emphasis is on the living growing tree that provides shade and play space.
LibraryThing member numbak01
This is a beautiful, entrancing story about all that trees have to offer a child. People can enjoy being in, around, and under a tree. Some functions of trees are explained such as shade, play, escape, as a wind block, home for birds, rest, swing, apples, climbing, and beauty. It also tells about
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caring for trees such as cleaning up leaves and planting trees.
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LibraryThing member dimalmani
This book is great for K-2nd graders. It focus on a subject that a child can simply comprehend, use simple and small words, and have nice illustrations. The book explores all of the many benefits that trees bring us.
LibraryThing member amasarik
The text here gives a number of reasons why trees are useful and explains that they are also objects of beauty. Trees are characterized as intrinsically valuable. Of course, the author also explores the extrinsic value as well - the shade which the tree provides and the fruit it drops. Luckily it
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doesn't count as a value the fact that trees can be pulped to make crappy furniture, chopsticks, and other items which aren't worth snot in a rag. Text is accompanied by illustrations which conveyed to me the mood of a dreamy afternoon spent in leisure.
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LibraryThing member rachel.bynum
Summary:A great picture book with a lot of beautiful illusrations on trees and how they enhance the world around us with beauty and function.

Personal Effect: I liked this book because it makes you stop and think about small things.

Extension ideas: You could use this book to incorporate class
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discussion with young children on what different ways trees effect them in daily living. You could also, use it as a way to have the class give different words they would use to describe a tree.
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LibraryThing member ShondaNewsome
Summary:
Trees are beautiful. There are so many important aspects to know about a tree. A tree is an important component of the natural landscape. The most important thing about a tree is the realization of the beauty in the everyday world.

Personal Relation:
I can relate to this story because if I
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am having a very bad day and need to get away for peace, I like to sit under a tree and listen to the sound of the leaves blowing as a way of coping.

Extension Ideas:
1. Have the students write do an art work on what they like about trees and what we can do to protect them.
2. Have the students do a classroom project on how to plant a tree by using a paper cup, soil and plant seeds.
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LibraryThing member dangerlibearian
Very old-fashioned book, straightforward tells you all the ways a tree is nice. It gives shade, climbing places, apples,and sticks. Tells you how to plant a tree and how to watch it grow.
LibraryThing member bigorangecat
This is the 1st book to grab me with its intense color illustrations when I was a little girl mega-decades ago. Still does!
LibraryThing member JPercival
Summary: A Tree is Nice was written by Janice May Udry. This is a simple story about just what the title says, how nice trees are. Udry writes about all of the benefits of trees, from shade for a persons house to shade for a hot cow, the fun children can have playing in a tree, and how a tree can
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help protect a house. The book even encourages planting a tree of your own, I guess Udry was "going green" long before it was popular.

Personal Reaction:I think this is a unique type of book, at first I thought the story was going to be a bit slow but it picked up quickly. The illustration was very different as well, with every turn of the page the illustrator would go from color to black and white.

Classroom Extension: 1) This would be a perfect book to introduce a science assignment about trees. Teach about the internal workings of a tree, how water travels up the trunk, and the process of photosynthesis. 2) Start a science project by having the students plant a flower in a cup and follow the progress.
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LibraryThing member CrunchyGranola
I rather liked the illustrations (especially the alternating color pages) but the story, to the extent that there is one, is a bit of a snooze. I didn't like it as much as I expected to: but it's hard to argue with the main point. A tree is indeed nice. (this edition is dated 1987 but it was
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written several decades ago.)
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LibraryThing member hcurrey
This book would be a short and sweet read-aloud for a unit on plants, ecology, etc. It would be a good one to emulate with any object: chair, bed, large rock, inspiring children to think of all of the uses of something, and why we should be appreciative of it.
LibraryThing member JaimeScheidler
A book about the different ways a you can enjoy a tree.
LibraryThing member Phill242
1957 Caldecott winner
watercolor illustrations
sweet, short text about the different value trees have
LibraryThing member dukefan86
The pictures in this children's classic alternate between color and black & white, a neat feature. Sweet storyline for young children when talking about a "green" theme (all that trees "do" for us), the seasons, or the growth of a tree.
LibraryThing member bp0128bd
1957 caldecott winner
watercolor illustrations
sweet, short text about the different value trees have
LibraryThing member bl200329
A Tree is nice, a Caldecott Medal Winner in 1957, is a fiction book that shows all the interesting outlooks of about how a simple tree or a forest can be so nice. The book is filled with beautiful pictures our the words that are shown on the bottom of the page. It is a sweet and fun way to look at
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the little things about trees and shows how much we should value them. From young to old trees offer a lot of good things to people such as: tree houses, swings, leaves that fall in the fall, shade etc.
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LibraryThing member ecarlson2014
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Summary: This books tells all the ways that a tree is nice. It tells different stories of how a tree is helpful and how you would like to have a tree around.
Age Group: Early Elementary (1-3)
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This book lists all the reasons why trees are nice. The illustrations are really gorgeous, alternating between color and black and white.

Awards

Caldecott Medal (Medal Winner — 1957)
Illinois Reads (K-2 — 2016)

Language

Original publication date

1956

Physical description

32 p.; 6.19 inches

ISBN

0060261552 / 9780060261559

Barcode

6410

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