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Gus is a Tree
Gus dozes off on the playground and dreams that he is a tree in the forest. Includes glossary of terms related to trees and forests.
32 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 12, 2019
Originally published in France as Gustave est un arbre, this charming picture-book from Claire Babin is one in a series of titles detailing the adventures of Gus, an imaginative young boy who manages to transform every experience into a magical voyage of discovery. Resting under a tree on the playground one day, Gus dozes off, dreaming that he is a tree in the forest: watching the animals that live in and under his branches, smelling the fresh scent of the moss at his roots, and feeling the cool, refreshing rain...
With a simple narrative combining the dream-world and the natural world, one that reinforces the importance of imagination, and highlights the enchantment to be found in the forest, Gus Is a Tree is a real pleasure. I liked that basic vocabulary is capitalized in the text, and defined at the end. Olivier Tallec, whose illustrations - from Big Wolf and Little Wolf to Thumbelina of Toulaba - are always excellent, delivers a gorgeous impressionistic landscape here, with vivid autumnal colors. All in all, an excellent little book, ideal for imaginative young nature-lovers!
With a simple narrative combining the dream-world and the natural world, one that reinforces the importance of imagination, and highlights the enchantment to be found in the forest, Gus Is a Tree is a real pleasure. I liked that basic vocabulary is capitalized in the text, and defined at the end. Olivier Tallec, whose illustrations - from Big Wolf and Little Wolf to Thumbelina of Toulaba - are always excellent, delivers a gorgeous impressionistic landscape here, with vivid autumnal colors. All in all, an excellent little book, ideal for imaginative young nature-lovers!
November 9, 2009
The illustrations are colorful and gorgeous, as are the photographs of tree parts that appear in an educational section about various types of trees at the back of the book.
The story follows Gus during a school recess as he daydreams/dreams about being a tree and all that entails, including how he imagines the tree feels as it interacts with its environment. I felt as though I was right in a forest of trees while reading this book, seeing and feeling everything via Gus’s imagination. I love how his schoolmates don’t make fun of him as in his reverie he starts to get soaked in a rainstorm, but simply wake him up and have him rejoin the group as they head back to the classroom.
Well, from reading the author and illustrator bios in the back of the book, I’ve learned that there’s a Gus series of books, with Gus is a Fish as another one of them.
The story follows Gus during a school recess as he daydreams/dreams about being a tree and all that entails, including how he imagines the tree feels as it interacts with its environment. I felt as though I was right in a forest of trees while reading this book, seeing and feeling everything via Gus’s imagination. I love how his schoolmates don’t make fun of him as in his reverie he starts to get soaked in a rainstorm, but simply wake him up and have him rejoin the group as they head back to the classroom.
Well, from reading the author and illustrator bios in the back of the book, I’ve learned that there’s a Gus series of books, with Gus is a Fish as another one of them.
September 27, 2026
A story about a boy and his passion for trees! The mixed illustrations (drawing & photography) and colors were gorgeous.
December 9, 2023
Gus nods off during recess, imagining himself as a tree and what life in the forest would be like.
I hate to say it, but Gus has the nicest classmates ever! In my experience, falling asleep in a group of kids usually leads to being drawn on, or mercilessly tickled, so them gently calling him awake seems strange. A cozy imagination story, that also introduces readers to general forest vocabulary.
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February 27, 2024A l'occasion d'une sieste en pleine r�cr�ation, Gustave se transforme en arbre ! Voici une histoire bien sympathique, agr�ment�e de dessins simples et attractifs, qui donne l'occasion de d�couvrir et d'utiliser le vocabulaire du th�me.Petit "bonus" en fin d'album : certains mots sont expliqu�s succinctement pour aider les parents � r�pondre aux questions des enfants !
September 4, 2014
Babin, C. and Tallec, O. (2008). Gus is a Tree. Enchanted Lion Books. Picture Book Soak.
Gus falls asleep and dreams that he is a tree. He experiences the forest at night, and imagines the parts of the tree that he has become, the weather, and the animals that surround him. Once the dream begins, each page is illustrated with a combination of both paintings and photographs of trees. The juxtaposition provides texture and visual interest, and is just plain cool! The story highlights tree-related words in capital letters, such as ROOTS, TRUNK, BARK. At the end of the book there is a glossary section with descriptions of these words, and would provide a great transition into a science lesson on trees, plants or the forest ecosystem. Grades K-2.
Gus falls asleep and dreams that he is a tree. He experiences the forest at night, and imagines the parts of the tree that he has become, the weather, and the animals that surround him. Once the dream begins, each page is illustrated with a combination of both paintings and photographs of trees. The juxtaposition provides texture and visual interest, and is just plain cool! The story highlights tree-related words in capital letters, such as ROOTS, TRUNK, BARK. At the end of the book there is a glossary section with descriptions of these words, and would provide a great transition into a science lesson on trees, plants or the forest ecosystem. Grades K-2.
September 4, 2014
Babin, C. and Tallec, O. (2008). Gus is a Tree. Enchanted Lion Books. Picture Book Soak.
Gus falls asleep and dreams that he is a tree. He experiences the forest at night, and imagines the parts of the tree that he has become, the weather, and the animals that surround him. Once the dream begins, each page is illustrated with a combination of both paintings and photographs of trees. The juxtaposition provides texture and visual interest, and is just plain cool! The story highlights tree-related words in capital letters, such as ROOTS, TRUNK, BARK. At the end of the book there is a glossary section with descriptions of these words, and would provide a great transition into a science lesson on trees, plants or the forest ecosystem. Grades K-2.
Gus falls asleep and dreams that he is a tree. He experiences the forest at night, and imagines the parts of the tree that he has become, the weather, and the animals that surround him. Once the dream begins, each page is illustrated with a combination of both paintings and photographs of trees. The juxtaposition provides texture and visual interest, and is just plain cool! The story highlights tree-related words in capital letters, such as ROOTS, TRUNK, BARK. At the end of the book there is a glossary section with descriptions of these words, and would provide a great transition into a science lesson on trees, plants or the forest ecosystem. Grades K-2.
September 20, 2009
This is a great book that encourages imagination. Gus has a series of books that explore what it would be like to be different things. While the kids play on the playground, Gus sits under the tree and daydreams about what it would be like to be a tree. He dreams about what it was like to walk through the forest with his father. He pretends he is the tree in the forest. This book is so wonderful because it explores the vivid imagination of a child. I would use this book to teach about imagination and dramatic play. It is always wonderful to encourage kids to think and dream about things. The more visual they can be the better.
September 1, 2011
Gus loves to sit under the trees...he becomes the trees. Slowly drifting off in to the night, he imagines himself becoming one with the leaves, the branches, the roots and the night around him. As night gives way to daylight, Gus's friends awakend him to come out of the rain.
Gus is a Tree is wonderfully illustrated with child-like imagination and wonder.
Used for "Trees" Storytime: September, 2011.
Used for "Trees" storytime: October, 2011 (substituting for Angelica's 3 year-old storytime at BPL).
Gus is a Tree is wonderfully illustrated with child-like imagination and wonder.
Used for "Trees" Storytime: September, 2011.
Used for "Trees" storytime: October, 2011 (substituting for Angelica's 3 year-old storytime at BPL).
January 13, 2009
I guess there is a series of "Gus" books (but I've never seen any others). Beautiful illustrations, but the story, about a boy with a vivid imagination, is marred by the author's use of ALL CAPS for vocab words. I'm sorry, but can we save the vocab lessons for the textbooks? I'm trying to read for fun here...
September 29, 2014
A natural meditation. It starts with illustration, but Gus's imagination is more real than his surroundings and blends his daydream with photographs of trees. Sweetly, his friends do not make fun of his wandering mind - they care for and accept him.
April 17, 2015
I like Gus and I like the illustrations that mix photographs with Olivier Tallec's artwork. Gus' imagination helps him pretend to be a tree. And all that that implies... Great read aloud and writing inspiration for K-3.
December 6, 2008
Not sure I like the story, but these illustrations are really vibrant and interesting. Little bits of nature photographs are morphed into the paintings.
July 8, 2009
A cute book about trees and nature. Both my children liked it. At the end of the book is a glossary and actual photos of some of the nature one encountered in the story.
December 10, 2009
trees, nature
May 14, 2014
Gus imagines what it's like to be a tree.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2016
I truly enjoyed this book. Claire Babin shows a child's imagination about nature through Gus. Wonderful story line and colorful illustrations.
March 25, 2016
Ellie read to us..krb 3/25/16
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews