It’s time for a grandfather to share his story with his granddaughter: when Timi’s new baby sister arrives, he goes to an after-school club and learns about a desolate library, which is about to be demolished. When Timi and his new friends break in to explore, he finds a tiny, green seedling growing between the floorboards. Through care and love, this little shoot magically grows into a huge tree. What will happen though when it’s time for the library to be demolished?
It’s so refreshing to read a chapter book suitable for ages 5+ – a Yr 1 teacher recently asked about a chapter book for her class so I’ll definitely be giving her this after Easter! The Boy Who Grew A Tree is a beautifully uplifting story about a nurturing, passionate young boy who does everything he can to protect a little shoot he finds in a library. All his attention is focused there when his mum gives birth and is unable to do as much with him – he attends an after-school club now and has to stay with his aunties.
Sojung’s beautiful black and white illustrations add to this charming story and would definitely stimulate conversations in the classroom or at bedtime. What’s so wonderful about this chapter book is some of the essential themes – the importance of community libraries and nature in inner-city areas. I loved seeing how the tree had grown each time Timi visited and this powerful metaphor of how we ourselves grow the more we read. It really does enforce the power of reading and how essential libraries are.
Suggested reading age: 5+
The Boy Who Grew A Tree is written by Polly Ho-Yen and is illustrated by Sojung Kim-McCarthy. It will be published by Knights Of on 5th May 2022.
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