This tree is just for me! by Lucy Rowland and Laura Hughes

Jack has hidden away in his tree with a new book. He has unwrapped it, put on his outside boots and climbed up into a crook in the tree where he just fits. He tries other trees, but this one is just right. He nestles on a doona and begins to read, but a tiger appears, landing on the branch next to him. He roars at the tiger, telling him that he has no time to play as he is reading his book in his tree. The tiger jumps off only to be replaced by an alligator. The alligator moves away when Jack reminds him that this is his tree and he is reading his new book. 

The alligator is followed by a python, then a monkey and a sloth. And they are all told the same thing. But the noise becomes overwhelming, and he realises that perhaps there is a whole zoo in his tree. He shouts at them that this tree is for him, and one by one they all drop to the ground. So Jack finally gets down to his book, but he realises that it is very quiet and he cannot concentrate. He waits for a new noise, but none comes. He then shouts out to all the animals to come back and share his tree. And they do.  Told in rhyming four lined verses, the text invites the readers to predict the last rhyming word and call out Jack’s refrain that the tree belongs to him. Kids will love connecting the words used to each animal, and love calling out the words Jack says and the noise the animal makes. A whole lot of fun is in store for all readers, listeners and adults as they follow Jack’s path from being selfish to learning to share. 

The lovely illustrations will captivate readers as they recognise animals around the tree, wondering at Jack’s equanimity at having a tiger, python and alligator landing next to him.

This book is a joyous celebration of reading, of friendship and of sharing, which will engender much discussion amongst its readers.

Themes: Friendship, Sharing, Relationships, Trees, Reading, Animals.

Fran Knight