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Bea Garcia #4
The Tree and Me
Bea Garcia and her classmates know they can save their school's best tree from being cut down! The fourth chapter book in this quirky, beloved series focuses on teamwork in the classroom and care for the environment.
There's a very special 150-year-old oak tree outside the window of Bea's classroom at Emily Dickinson Elementary School. When Bert, Bea's nemesis, climbs the tree, he gets in a lot of trouble--and that leads to even more trouble for everyone. "Concerned" citizens proclaim the tree a hazard and call for cutting it down. But the class won't let that happen, and using Bea's artistic ability, they work out a great plan to save the tree named Emily.
There's a very special 150-year-old oak tree outside the window of Bea's classroom at Emily Dickinson Elementary School. When Bert, Bea's nemesis, climbs the tree, he gets in a lot of trouble--and that leads to even more trouble for everyone. "Concerned" citizens proclaim the tree a hazard and call for cutting it down. But the class won't let that happen, and using Bea's artistic ability, they work out a great plan to save the tree named Emily.
160 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2019
Very satisfying story of a group of children fighting against just more instance where a grown-up overreacts.
August 7, 2019
A perfect chapter book series book.
June 29, 2019
There are many things to love in this artful, funny, astute, beautifully layered and textured book. It is organic and highly realistic. An escapade in a schoolyard balloons into a full-scale crisis and the students in Mrs. Grogan's classroom have to mobilize and use all their ingenuity, art and learning to save "Emily," the majestic white oak in the playground.
This delightful book celebrates nature, poetry, art and activism in sparkling and spirited ways.
The wry humor adds a lot to the story. There are many small, quirky observations: Zippy, the squirrel, has a distinctive skinny tail that he brandishes with a signature flourish; Sophie, the dog, offers up her own small contribution to the tree campaign; the expression on a newsman's face shows amusement, affection and condescension all at once.
The book explores all the expansive possibilities of art: its capacity for precise and accurate rendering; its imaginative possibilities (Bea draws what she sees and also what she wishes she could see); its potential for creative problem solving, community building and negotiating difficult relationships.
In subtle and varied ways, the book shows that there are no rigid lines dividing art, science, learning, poetry and advocacy. Facts are celebrated as facts but also for their beauty and magic. ("Trees make their own oxygen from sunlight" -- and students are struck by the magic of that.) Mastery of facts deepens one's poetic range. Passion for a cause fuels artistry and ingenuity.
The book also celebrates activism and community in very realistic ways. In well-observed and insightful ways, the book records: the bursts of energy and inventiveness that drive campaigns; the intense effort needed to build consensus; the way campaigns always operate within constraints of time, space and bureaucracy; the moments of grace and inspiration that light up a cause and fuel momentum; the last minute intransigences that threaten to break up hard-won consensus and the outside-the-box thinking that is often needed to save the day. And in moving, thoughtful and nuanced ways, the book shows how people with diverse viewpoints, and widely different gifts, can come together to achieve important goals.
The drawings are always vivid, exuberant, compelling and integral to the story. This is a highly imaginative, eco-friendly, topical, fun and instructive book.
This delightful book celebrates nature, poetry, art and activism in sparkling and spirited ways.
The wry humor adds a lot to the story. There are many small, quirky observations: Zippy, the squirrel, has a distinctive skinny tail that he brandishes with a signature flourish; Sophie, the dog, offers up her own small contribution to the tree campaign; the expression on a newsman's face shows amusement, affection and condescension all at once.
The book explores all the expansive possibilities of art: its capacity for precise and accurate rendering; its imaginative possibilities (Bea draws what she sees and also what she wishes she could see); its potential for creative problem solving, community building and negotiating difficult relationships.
In subtle and varied ways, the book shows that there are no rigid lines dividing art, science, learning, poetry and advocacy. Facts are celebrated as facts but also for their beauty and magic. ("Trees make their own oxygen from sunlight" -- and students are struck by the magic of that.) Mastery of facts deepens one's poetic range. Passion for a cause fuels artistry and ingenuity.
The book also celebrates activism and community in very realistic ways. In well-observed and insightful ways, the book records: the bursts of energy and inventiveness that drive campaigns; the intense effort needed to build consensus; the way campaigns always operate within constraints of time, space and bureaucracy; the moments of grace and inspiration that light up a cause and fuel momentum; the last minute intransigences that threaten to break up hard-won consensus and the outside-the-box thinking that is often needed to save the day. And in moving, thoughtful and nuanced ways, the book shows how people with diverse viewpoints, and widely different gifts, can come together to achieve important goals.
The drawings are always vivid, exuberant, compelling and integral to the story. This is a highly imaginative, eco-friendly, topical, fun and instructive book.
December 23, 2019
Funny, creative, this ER book caught my interest, and I read it in one sitting. Outside the Emily Dickinson Elementary School, there is a huge tree, so large that Bea Garcia cannot fit it on one page of her drawing paper. As she studies the tree, she notes there are squirrels clutching to the bark. Mischievous, they throw acorns at any one who happens to pass by.
Bea's nemesis Bert is someone she would like the squirrels to pummel. Bea's favorite friend Einstein (so named because she is the smartest in the school,) is also enthralled with the tree. Observing a nuthatch, they watch the bird walking upside down. They remark there are a lot of things to love about the tree that they now name Emily, the poet tree.
If she studies Emily carefully, Bea can see the face of Emily Dickinson in etched in the bark. Berk the jerk decides to climb the tree to the highest branches. His behaviour nets a ride in the firetruck bucket as he cannot get down from the heights of Emily, and then takes a giant leap into the bucket.
Now, parents clamour for the tree to be cut down as it could present harm to children. Under the guidance of the teacher and principal, the students rally for Emily to remain right where she is. They learn scientific facts and present them to the school board.
The tree is saved. However, Bea and Einstein are not saved from Bert the jerk.
This is a laugh out loud, witty story!
Bea's nemesis Bert is someone she would like the squirrels to pummel. Bea's favorite friend Einstein (so named because she is the smartest in the school,) is also enthralled with the tree. Observing a nuthatch, they watch the bird walking upside down. They remark there are a lot of things to love about the tree that they now name Emily, the poet tree.
If she studies Emily carefully, Bea can see the face of Emily Dickinson in etched in the bark. Berk the jerk decides to climb the tree to the highest branches. His behaviour nets a ride in the firetruck bucket as he cannot get down from the heights of Emily, and then takes a giant leap into the bucket.
Now, parents clamour for the tree to be cut down as it could present harm to children. Under the guidance of the teacher and principal, the students rally for Emily to remain right where she is. They learn scientific facts and present them to the school board.
The tree is saved. However, Bea and Einstein are not saved from Bert the jerk.
This is a laugh out loud, witty story!
February 4, 2021
Another great school story about a girl who loves to draw. This time she and her classmates are on a mission to save the big beautiful oak tree on their school campus. Bert never quits trying to drive everyone crazy with his antics. Funny illustrations. Kids will enjoy this one. Highly recommended for Grades 2-4.
June 9, 2019
My favorite book in the series! Bea takes on an activist role to save a tree at her elementary school, teaching readers that you're never too young to care about the world around you, and never too small to make a difference.
March 26, 2020
Bea loves Emily the tree. For example,she try’s to save her when they were going to cut her down. Also, Bea and her best Friend sit in front of her every day at recess. This is why Bea loves Emily.
September 17, 2020
Very sweet, exuberant introduction to the importance of trees for early readers.
June 29, 2019
There are many things to love in this artful, funny, astute, beautifully layered and textured book. It is organic and highly realistic. An escapade in a schoolyard balloons into a full-scale crisis and the students in Mrs. Grogan's classroom have to mobilize and use all their ingenuity, art and learning to save "Emily," the majestic white oak in the playground.
This delightful book celebrates nature, poetry, art and activism in sparkling and spirited ways.
The wry humor adds a lot to the story. There are many small, quirky observations: Zippy, the squirrel, has a distinctive skinny tail that he brandishes with a signature flourish; Sophie, the dog, offers up her own small contribution to the tree campaign; the expression on a newsman's face shows amusement, affection and condescension all at once.
The book explores all the expansive possibilities of art: its capacity for precise and accurate rendering; its imaginative possibilities (Bea draws what she sees and also what she wishes she could see); its potential for creative problem solving, community building and negotiating difficult relationships.
In subtle and varied ways, the book shows that there are no rigid lines dividing art, science, learning, poetry and advocacy. Facts are celebrated as facts but also for their beauty and magic. ("Trees make their own oxygen from sunlight" -- and students are struck by the magic of that.) Mastery of facts deepens one's poetic range. Passion for a cause fuels artistry and ingenuity.
The book also celebrates activism and community in very realistic ways. In well-observed and insightful ways, the book records: the bursts of energy and inventiveness that drive campaigns; the intense effort needed to build consensus; the way campaigns always operate within constraints of time, space and bureaucracy; the moments of grace and inspiration that light up a cause and fuel momentum; the last minute intransigences that threaten to break up hard-won consensus and the outside-the-box thinking that is often needed to save the day. And in moving, thoughtful and nuanced ways, the book shows how people with diverse viewpoints, and widely different gifts, can come together to achieve important goals.
The drawings are always vivid, exuberant, compelling and integral to the story. This is a highly imaginative, eco-friendly, topical, fun and instructive book.
This delightful book celebrates nature, poetry, art and activism in sparkling and spirited ways.
The wry humor adds a lot to the story. There are many small, quirky observations: Zippy, the squirrel, has a distinctive skinny tail that he brandishes with a signature flourish; Sophie, the dog, offers up her own small contribution to the tree campaign; the expression on a newsman's face shows amusement, affection and condescension all at once.
The book explores all the expansive possibilities of art: its capacity for precise and accurate rendering; its imaginative possibilities (Bea draws what she sees and also what she wishes she could see); its potential for creative problem solving, community building and negotiating difficult relationships.
In subtle and varied ways, the book shows that there are no rigid lines dividing art, science, learning, poetry and advocacy. Facts are celebrated as facts but also for their beauty and magic. ("Trees make their own oxygen from sunlight" -- and students are struck by the magic of that.) Mastery of facts deepens one's poetic range. Passion for a cause fuels artistry and ingenuity.
The book also celebrates activism and community in very realistic ways. In well-observed and insightful ways, the book records: the bursts of energy and inventiveness that drive campaigns; the intense effort needed to build consensus; the way campaigns always operate within constraints of time, space and bureaucracy; the moments of grace and inspiration that light up a cause and fuel momentum; the last minute intransigences that threaten to break up hard-won consensus and the outside-the-box thinking that is often needed to save the day. And in moving, thoughtful and nuanced ways, the book shows how people with diverse viewpoints, and widely different gifts, can come together to achieve important goals.
The drawings are always vivid, exuberant, compelling and integral to the story. This is a highly imaginative, eco-friendly, topical, fun and instructive book.
January 27, 2025
4.75 elementary recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews