Forests are filled with trees with stories to tell. Turns out they've even discovered that trees make friends with each other. Amazing thing nature. This is the story of a city tree that stood alone as a witness to the life of a young girl.
The tree watches as the young girl plays and writes and grows up. She is filled with smiles and the joy of being alive. Then, airplanes roar through the skies overhead and troops storm into the city where she has her roots.
The tree watches as the girl disappears inside a building, the curtains at her window sewn tightly together to keep out prying eyes. This tree has made a friend. It drops its leaves in worry. It beams its delight in a kiss with a show of beautiful blossoms.
Yes, this tree bore witness to the life and courage of Anne Frank. This one horse chestnut tree watched it all. People came to cherish the tree and decades later as it began to fail, they tried to save it. There is a line in this book right at this point in the story that will drop you to your knees. I'll let you find it.
When the tree went its natural way, its seeds were gathered and saved and planted around the world. Does that give you the goosebumps? I've got enough to share.
Anne Frank mentioned this tree three times in her diary. This tree carries her legacy. Where can you find one of these trees? You'd be surprised and you might, just like me, want to go find one.
Exceptionally moving and inspiring story and illustrations. What an amazing way to teach history to a child.
40 pages Ages 6-10 (Child needs to be able to hear about the Holocaust) 978-0385753975
Highly recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
Common Core Objective: Point of View
Editor's Note: Read with Seed by Seed: The Legacy and Legend of John "Appleseed" Chapman; The Family Tree by David McPhail;