Picture Book Blog #2

Book Title: A Grand Old Tree

Author and Illustrator: Mary Newell DePalma

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Copyright: 2005

# of Pages: 29 Pages

Genre: Picture Fiction

Plot Summary –

This is a story about a grand old tree, whose roots dig deep, arms stretch high, and many creatures enjoy time with the tree. The author, Mary, explains how each season impacts the grand old tree and what happens to the tree with each season. The grand tree lives a long life and has many children. Mary Newell DePalma does a great job of showing the life cycle of a tree and how they give so much, yet the message of this book is very powerful.

Description of the illustrations –

The illustrations are great! Each one is bright and colorful. The illustrations are simple, but captivating. From looking at the illustrations you can see and feel the movement just as Mary DePalma describes the creates moving, tree swaying in the wind, and basking in the sun. The flow of the pictures mimics the flow of the story line. I love how Mary DePalma depicts the leaves on the trees. The tree looks big and luscious and then she draws big, eye catching leaves. She adds details to even small things like the moon and gives him a face. The illustrations seem to be watercolor paintings.

Content Area and Grade: 

Arts, Literary Arts, Visual Arts

Grade Span 5-8

From ALEX - Title: Trees in Nature and Art

Students will explore the use of trees in the arts (as paintings and poetry), understand basic science involved in forestry, and integrate tree arts and science in a final project.