Little Tree by Loren Long JJ Lon

Loren Long’s newest picture book works on so many levels for readers of all ages. Little Tree is afraid to let go of his leaves in the fall. He’s afraid of what might happen to him without them. So year after year, he hugs his dead, brown leaves tight. Soon Little Tree can’t feel the warmth of the sun, because all of the trees around him have grown and branched out. What will Little Tree do? Well, I could tell you, but I really think you should pick up this book and read it for yourself. In what ways does it speak to you?

I asked a colleague to read Little Tree. He came away with a slightly different message than I did, and he’s right, too.

Much of children’s literature is more than just a good story. There are life lessons all through the children’s book industry. And it’s a shame that these lessons, so eloquently depicted in word and picture, are overlooked by those who have “outgrown” picture books. Personally, I don’t think anyone outgrows picture books, and even if you’re an adult, a college student, or someone else older than about seven, you need to occasionally browse the picture book shelves to experience some of the wonderful literature contained in a mere 32 pages.

(Brief pause while I mount my soapbox.) Today’s society places a huge emphasis on reading progress, and I don’t have a problem with educating children to be good readers. So often, though, there is so much emphasis on reading books at a child’s tested level that wonderful books are precluded. Children should be encouraged to read good books regardless of their designated reading level, and teachers should incorporate the use of picture books in their literature curricula. What a great way to introduce elementary students to the concept of theme.

Out of curiosity, I searched online for information about the reading level of books by some of the most popular adult authors. Does your precocious second-grader need a book at fourth-grade level? Hand him/her Hemingway. The fifth-grader who tests out at college-level? Forget fiction; the best bet is The Affordable Care Act. (Pity the person who has to create the AR test for that!) These examples are taken from a very interesting article about grade-level reading. Here’s the link: https://contently.com/strategist/2015/01/28/this-surprising-reading-level-analysis-will-change-the-way-you-write/

Don’t get me wrong: encourage your child to improve his/her reading by tackling challenging material; be realistic about what is out there for your child and be aware that reading level does not mean age-appropriate. (Steven King books top out at sixth-grade level, Danielle Steel at about 8.5.) Allow and encourage them to explore literature at all reading levels. Just as content may be inappropriate in a book written at a low level, the reverse is also true. A book with a readability score of second or third grade may challenge a child intellectually. There is so much more to a book than what a reading test can evaluate.

(Stepping down from soapbox.)  Loren Long’s Little Tree is just such a book. It will make the reader think. I encourage you to pick this one up, sit down right in the library or the bookstore, and read it. Let it speak to you. In my opinion, this book is genius. Thank you, Mr. Long.

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