The Birthday Tree

by Paul Fleischman, Marcia Sewall

When Jack goes to sea, his parents watch as the tree planted at his birth reflects his fortunes and misfortunes

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California. The son of well-known children's novelist Sid Fleischman, Paul was in the unique position of having his famous father's books read out loud to him by the author as they were being written. This experience continued throughout his childhood.
Paul followed in his father's footsteps as an author of books for young readers, and in 1982 he released the book "Graven Images", which was awarded a Newbery Honor citation.
In 1988, Paul Fleischman came out with "Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices", an unusually unique collection of poetry from the perspective of insects. This book was awarded the 1989 John Newbery Medal. Factoring in Sid Fleischman's win of the John Newbery Medal in 1987 for his book "The Whipping Boy", Paul and Sid Fleischman became to this day the only father and son authors to both win the John Newbery Medal.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this title as I was searching the library catalog for other books by Paul Fleischman.
This is one of those picture books that is lost on children, but speaks to the parent.
Maybe this is the book a youngster, more likely a college age, should read to understand their parents point of view.
Parents will do almost anything for a child and ache with worry and concern.
That is what happens with this book. Only they have a special tree, the birthday tree,
planted at Jack's birth
which has an uncanny connection with Jack, even as he leaves home.

After reading this, I went on a library quest for books illustrated by Barry Root. Beautiful.
Beautiful spreads, and I love the lit blue weave behind the page illustrations.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairy tale for readers age 6 and up. (Maybe younger if the child is thoughtful and the parent patient.) If I weren't in the mood for a story like this I could say something like "ok, so what" but I am currently receptive and am both charmed and moved.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting in a fable-y sort of way, but I wasn't a big fan of the feel of it. There was definite suspense about if the kid was alive - and I found it a little disturbing in a modern children's book that it starts off with the loss of three sons in the second sentence of the book.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful.
Why did the boy leave (then return) without a word to his parents? My 5 yr old thought the tree was magical.
5/30/17 Read with Naomi and Julia.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sailor and his wife lose everything to the sea and decides to move where they can't hear, see, or smell the sea. They settle in a little valley and start a new life. When baby Jack arrives, his father and mother plant an apple seedling in honor of his birth. As Jack grows up the tree mirrors Jack's actions and emotions. When Jack leaves home and goes to sea, the parents watch the tree for signs about Jack's well-being and await his return home.

The original story published in 1979 was illustrated by three-tone colored illustrations created by Marcia Sewall. I prefer the illustrations by Barry Root used for the reprint of the title in 2008.

I think the story would appeal more to parents than children and would make a great selection for storytime for older listeners. If you like this title, try THE ANIMAL HEDGE by the same author.

My favorite part is the description of the trip the Sailor and his wife make in the beginning of the story -- At nightfall the sailor cupped his hands to his ears. He could no longer hear the sea. After another day's walk the sailor took out his spyglass. He could no longer glimpse the sea. On the third day the sailor and his wife found themselves in a green valley. They could no longer smell the sea. "It's here we'll put down," said the sailor.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My youngest son really liked this book, and wanted to re-read it. It has quite a bit of text so it isn't a "fast" read. It is also geared more for the older toddlers / elementary kids. It has a lot of big vocabulary words, and lyrical language, so if you like introducing big vocabulary words to your children it may be a good fit.

My son and I liked that the tree and the boy have a supernatural relationship (the tree always knows how the boy is feeling, even when the boy is far away). I felt it was a good way to show how parents dealt with their boy moving away from home. My son and I also liked the happy and somewhat tricky ending. (I should say when children are a bit tricky with the parents in any story, my youngest child likes it.)

I'm not sure that all children will relate to this book, because it is showing the parents' side of the story, not the boy's.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely and very interesting story. It's an adventure tale from the perspective of the parents, left behind, who stay home and worry about their son. It fascinated me to think about how often this story would be told from the son's point of view -- inspired by something his parents didn't know about, gone before his parents could say goodbye. It's not common that that story is told from the parent's point-of-view. What a fascinating way to tell a story. I adored it.

(My used copy has written in it: For Analise & Olivia with best wishes from Paul Fleischman. 1993.)

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting picture book about a sailor and his wife who are devastated after loosing their three suns to the dangerous ocean currants. This young couple travels until they can no longer see, smell or hear the ocean before they begin to rebuild their life anew. Some time later they are blessed with another son that has a strange connection to a tree in their yard. An odd fictional story, but I enjoyed reading it.

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally rated G+ by Kathy Mullen
The Birthday Tree is a magical story, where students can make predictions about what will happen to the boy based on the tree that mimics the ups and downs of his life. Barry Root's watercolors perfectly complement the story of the sailor and his wofe who think they have lost yet another son to the sea. This is a reissue of Fleischman's story that was first published in 1979 with new illustrations.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a different book. The family plants a tree for their son when he is a baby. The tree and the son soon have the same feelings and the boy then goes away to sea. The parents watch the tree for the sign of his return. I think the idea is interesting, but I didn't really like this book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and sweet, not one to be forgotten. (Happy ending.) Kids' book but somewhat adult themes of loss.

[Caitlin Barclay]

This story gives the reader a feeling of a fairytale or folktale. The author uses the tree as a metaphor for the main characters' son. Teachers can use this story to teach the parts of a story.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely fable.

[Tacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, but it can get mushy. I wish I would have planted trees at the births of my children.

I am not sure if the ending works. Is it too abrupt?

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK IN THE WHOLE WORLD. SUCK IT, GIVING TREE.

[Finny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: Sad and sweet, not one to be forgotten. (Happy ending.)

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige read this out loud to me. Sweet book.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of a Brian Selznick book for young children.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little fairy tale story that is sorrowful and hopeful.