Big Tree Down!

PreS-Gr 1—This title shows readers what happens when a big tree comes crashing down in a storm. Safety is a big concern and the police are called to the scene. A strength of this title is the rich vocabulary that includes the names of vehicles like a cherry picker and professionals like lineman. The story is lively, well written, and likely to appeal to children. The illustrations complement the text. They are brightly colored, but also convey the serious message. The image of the cherry picker shows the large blue truck staffed by two people. One person in an orange uniform is reaching into the side panel of the truck and another person in an orange uniform is in the bucket of the cherry picker above the truck. The story ends on a happy note. The beloved tree lives on as firewood, mulch, and other things that bring happiness to the community. A sapling is also planted in big tree's former location. Interest will be high for this title.