Tall Tall Tree

“Creeping, hopping, zipping/Throughout the redwoods green/Are many different creatures/Who are very seldom seen,” begins this intriguing mix of math and nature. Anthony D. Fredericks’s Tall Tall Tree employs a rhyming, counting book format to explore the myriad critters that “sleep and eat and roam/Up in this tall, tall tree—/Their elevated home.” Chad Wallace’s illustrations are rich and painterly—the spread on bumblebees is almost a touch surreal. An ending “Explore More” section provides a wealth of additional information as well as STEAM-related activities for adults to organize with children; there’s one for each letter. Fredericks’s timely emphasis on mindfulness and rethinking assumptions will resonate strongly with budding conservationists.

— School Library Journal, Curriculum Connections (December 2017)

Complemented by STEM-based activity suggestions, “Tall Tall Tree” is a picture book by Anthony D. Fredericks that provides an informative and entertaining introduction for young children ages 2 to 5 to the amazing natural world of the giant redwood combines rhymes. The gentle artwork of Chad Wallace and the diverse counting prompts that reveal the teeming life that can be found in and around the world’s tallest trees makes “Tall Tall Tree” as fun as it is informative. While very highly recommended, especially for family, daycare center, Kindergarten, and community library picture book collections, it should be noted that “Tall Tall Tree” is also available in a paperback format and in a digital book format.

— Midwest Book Review, Children’s Bookwatch (November 2017)

An engaging, informative book encouraging ecological awareness for young readers. The ecosystem of a giant redwood tree is charmingly presented in this beautifully illustrated counting book that uses rhyme and rhythm based on the numbers one through 10, stanzas, and snippets of facts about animals who actually live in the redwoods. The text emphasizes counting, number recognition, and simple animal facts. Exquisite, highly detailed illustrations in a palette of natural woodland colors and tones complement the text. The pictures have a soft, blurred edge, which makes all the creatures, even the wood rats, seem appealing. The illustrated animals and the text are displayed in large enough format for young readers to easily discern, enabling them to make the connection between the words, numbers, and pictures. End notes add to the value of this title. There is a fact sheet about giant redwoods, another about the animals featured, a pictorial index to additional animals, and several authoritative online resources listed, as well as QR code access. A STEAM activities page has five educational and age-appropriate projects, such as making bark pictures by using the long side of crayons on paper held against a tree. VERDICT An excellent addition to any nonfiction collection, a great classroom tool for STEAM, and a fun read-a-loud at school, in the library, and at home.

— School Library Journal, Xpress Reviews (January 2018)

Through engaging rhymes and stunning pictures, little ones experience the majesty of the natural world and the thrill of hiking among giant redwoods. They also learn about the trees’ wild neighbors and how to count as they pick out one “soaring” eagle, two “brown and spotted” owls, all the way up to ten ladybugs on “teeny tiny feet.” Chad Wallace’s light-filled illustrations realistically portray the ecosystem of the northern California coast, while zooming in on intriguing details such as the red caps of acorn woodpeckers and the soft yellow bodies of banana slugs. In addition to the pithy poems of the text, Anthony D. Fredericks provides four pages of fun facts about the trees and animals, as well as playful STEAM-related activities.

— Mary Quattlebaum, Washington Parent (November 2017)

The world’s last remaining oldgrowth redwood forests stand along the northern California coast. There, among the tallest trees in the world, Save the Redwoods League created parks and reserves to protect these ancient giants. Tall Tall Tree is a tribute to the remarkable forests we helped to save and the wildlife found therein. This wonderfully illustrated book explores the beautiful and rarely seen world within the redwood forest, inspiring children and adults alike to discover and care for these tall, tall trees.

— Sam Hodder, President and CEO, Save the Redwoods League (July 2017)

Tall Tall Tree is a book filled with rhymes about tall redwood trees and the animals that call them home. While being an informational book about redwoods, it also helps children learn how to count from one to ten. Each number is featured on a page with a verse that describes an animal species. The book shows the different ways of referring to the same numeral, such as 2 and two. In Tall Tall Tree, readers can count the critters on each page and find hidden animals. Each verse ends by “and now comes number…” for the child to tell what comes next. The illustrations of Tall Tall Tree are very detailed and vivid. They depict life within the redwood tree and forest. Each page shows colorful images of the animals depicted in that verse. For example, the illustration for the following verse shows eight sleeping bats hanging upside down inside the tree: “Eight Sleeping Bats Roosting in a line, Waiting for the moon to rise, And now comes number… ”
Tall Tall Tree is a very informative and interactive book that can be used to teach children ELA, math, social studies, and science. At the end of the book, there is detailed information about redwood trees and the animals highlighted, along with STEAM activities for older children. Tall Tall Tree is an excellent book to help get children interested in nature. The book is geared toward three to five year- olds but could also be good for older children ages six through ten.

— Catholic Library World, Abigail DeSoto (Volume 88 No.2)

Tall, Tall Tree captures the grandiose majesty of redwood trees with playful rhyme, fundamental mathematics, anda game of “I Spy.” Teachers can use this book to introduce young learners to ecological concepts. Parents will enjoy sharing new species with their kids while practicing basic counting and visual recognition. Tall, Tall Tree has something for everyone!

— Jaclyn Stallard, Sr. Manager of Curriculum & Education Resources, Project Learning Tree (July 2017)

What a special book for young children! Its lyrical quality is engaging, its language rich with vivid vocabulary. Its call to action encourages each of us, even the youngest children, to protect these magnificent trees. Plus the STEAM activities enhance the message of this stunningly beautiful book.

— Anita Meinbach, Ed.D., Clinical Associate Professor, University of Miami (July 2017)