The Birthday Tree by Paul Fleischman

This fantastic picture book would be suitable for year 4 upwards.

It is about the life of Jack, beginning as a baby, with his ex-seafaring parents honouring his birth by planting a tree.

As Jack grows, so does the tree. The tree begins to represent Jack's moods: when he is happy the tree limbs stand straight and proud; when he is sick or sad the leaves tremble on their stems.

One morning Jack's parents find their son's bed empty. This is the beginning of Jack's journeys. His whereabouts are represented by either a seabird or land bird perched on top of the tree. When the tree almost dies the parents realize Jack is in grave danger. Will he return? They watch the tree in hope.

Previously published in 1979, with a different illustrator, this new edition of Paul Fleishman's first picture book is published by Candlewick Press, in 2008.

From Dyane, in Whangarei