The Tall Tree

This book fosters an understanding of the importance of forests and the various habitats it creates. It is also a counting book so students are able to learn the counting order through the help of this text.

Author: Anthony D. Fredericks
Illustrator: Chad Wallace
Year Published: 2017
ISBN: 978-1-58469-601-8

Summary

This text highlights the significance of the redwood tree and the habitats that are able to survive because of the forests these redwoods create. This is written using lyrical poetry and is a counting book.

Evaluation

Appropriateness: High
Authority: Medium
Accuracy: High
Liteary Artistry: High
Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

I definitely think this book could provide an opportunity for students to learn more about forests if they are interested. If students do ask their own questions, there is a glossary in the back with facts and terminology that students can learn from.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

The information is presented in a factual way that may not encourage student's independent thinking, but inquiry can be facilitated by the teacher by asking students to think more about certain habitats or animals.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

If students are learning about animal habitats this would be a great book for them to be exposed to when learning about forests. Students learn about what animals live in a redwood forest as well as the food they eat to survive. The information is also presented in a way that is appropriate for students to understand.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The content is based on the scientific principal of ecosystems and habitats. The story is fiction, but the information is accurate and students are able to learn non-fiction facts in the back of the book.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Yes. The story is fiction, but in the back of the text, there is a glossary with terminology and facts about redwood forests. The text differentiates by a change in font and a change in literary style. For example, the facts are no longer written using lyrical poetry.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes. The illustrations are clear and accurately represent the various animals living in the habitat. These are not actual pictures, so they are not 100% accurate, but the illustrator did a good job of making the animals look as realistic as possible.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes. This book is written for children 1st grade or younger. Since this book is still a counting book, I think 1st grade would be the oldest grade it should go, because first grade is the last grade where counting to 10 is highlighted whole-class. Although the information is accurate and important, older grades might see this book as trivial.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

Since this book is focused on animals and the redwood forest habitat, there is no multicultural component and no stereotyping in this text.

Is the book free from gender bias?

There are no genders represented in this book so it is free from gender bias.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

Yes. Since this is a counting book and lyrically written, this book can be incorporated with math and/or reading. I think it would provide a great opportunity to revisit this book among all 3 subjects throughout a unit to really familiarize the student with the text.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Yes. This book is written in a fun way encouraging students to engage and interact with the text. The lyrical style of the poem creates rhythm and I can see students enthusiastically reading this text.

Science Topics

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Maximum Suggested Grade Level