From Publishers Weekly
In this deceptively simple tale, Lionni characteristically hides a moral from which kids of all ages will profit. On New Year's Day, twin mice Willie and Winnie discover a "snowmouse" that appears to be holding a broom. But a voice announces, "I am not a broom. I am Woody the tree!" So begins a momentous friendship. The twins visit Woody each month and are thrilled when small buds and then leaves and blossoms appear on her branches. In June Woody confesses that she fears summertime, when people's carelessness with cigarettes and campfires causes many trees to die. Ready with a water hose, the twins protect their pal when a forest fire breaks out in July. After her leaves blow to the ground, the caring duo brings Christmas gifts to a cheerfully decorated Woody, and all are "happy and ready for another busy year." With Lionni's zingy, inimitable art, this tall, paper-over-board book is a welcome addition to his distinguished oeuvre. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-- Once again, Lionni's mice discover some of nature's secrets. This time, a friendly tree teaches two young creatures about her annual cycle of growth, decline, and dormancy. On a snowy January first, Willie and Winnie mistake the bare branches for a snowmouse's broom. They visit their friend monthly, seeing buds, then flowers, leaves, and finally fruit. In October, they mourn her loss of leaves. `` `Don't worry,' '' explains Woody. `` `Next year I'll have new ones. You'll see!' '' Only November's activities seem forced; the mice worry about a Christmas gift for the tree. In December, they decorate her boughs with festive colored balls and bring gifts of fertilizer and flower seeds. Illustrations are typical Lionni, with simplified collage figures of torn and cut papers, some plain and some patterned, placed against a background that changes color with the season. Although the tree remains rooted, the mice scurry about, climbing it to pick fruit, aiming a hose when it catches fire, and jumping to catch falling leaves. The lack of irrelevant background details makes the tree's changes clear and impressive. An enjoyable book that will help children become aware of the natural world around them. --Nancy Seiner, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
