The Belonging Tree

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler, Kristine A. Lombardi (Illustrator)

A picture book about respect, inclusion, and acceptance in a woodland community of animals.

Life was ordinary in the big oak tree on Forest Lane. Squirrels lived in every part of the tree, and the Gray squirrel family inhabited the knot in the middle. But the neighborhood starts to change as the big oak tree welcomes families of chipmunks, beavers, and birds. And with each new arrival, the Grays become increasingly unhappy. Can't everything remain just as it was?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Family, Fiction, Social Justice

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2020

About the author

Maryann Cocca-Leffler of NH, is the Author and Illustrator of over
60 books for children. Maryann’s book, Janine (2015) and its new sequel, Janine and the Field Day Finish (2016), were inspired by her daughter, Janine. Together they have developed a corresponding website, www.janinesparty.com with a mission to help change public perception of children with disabilities. Other books include, A Homemade Together Christmas, Bus Route to Boston and Bravery Soup.
Now a playwright, Maryann wrote a play based on her Princess KIM books. Princess K.I.M. The Musical won a National New Play Festival in 2012 and has had sold out performances on the East and West coasts. Princess K.I.M. The Musical is now represented by Stagerights.com, a licensing agency in LA to bring the play National.

Maryann grew up in the Boston area (read Bus Route To Boston!) and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she received a BFA in Illustration. Her very first book, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ written by Eileen Spinelli, was published in 1982 and has been re-released in 2015 as a classic. When not in her studio, Maryann is traveling, visiting schools and attending her play.

If you are interested in a school visit, please check out the VISITS link on my website:
www.MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
www.JaninesParty.com
www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com

Reviews

[Silvia Korchumova]

Entirely disappointing. The art is sweet and the title and cover really drew me in, but the story is terrible and at this point should be completely outdated but apparently isn’t. This book is about a family of squirrels who live in an oak tree, and the story is that other animals move in and start living in the oak tree and the family of squirrels are not happy about it. Every two pages the dad says, “There goes the neighborhood!” I couldn’t believe that a current-day book for children would so blatantly give animals the worst of human traits and completely normalize them. This is the attitude and language of racism and all kinds of discrimination. To make things worse, at the end, the squirrel family move out because they decide the tree isn’t for them anymore now that so many “other” animals are living there, but the other animals welcome them and throw a party for them. So the moral of the story is that it isn’t on the squirrels to figure out how to accept other animals, but that it’s on those who are “different” to celebrate and make those who ostracized them feel welcome and comfortable. No, thank you. I refuse to teach my child that he can go around being close-minded and it’s everyone else’s responsibility to make him feel more comfortable and accepted.

[Ashley]

Potentially a little too direct on the parallel to racism/xenophobia for some families, who may have already personally had language like the phrases used in the book (such as "there goes the neighbourhood") directed at them. This is also another story where the persecuted have to show they are worthy before they can belong, which is not the best message. Good jumping off point for class discussions on prejudice and exclusion, and very nice illustrations.

[Anthony]

Life in the big oak tree on Forest Lane was good. All the squirrels lived and worked together as a community. The gray squirrel family, Pa, Ma and Zeke lived in the middle of the tree, but when blue Jays, Chipmunks, and beavers moved in, Pa, and Ma thought the neighborhood was ruined, until tragedy struck, and proved that everyone is welcomed.

[Michele Knott]

Hmmm. There were some things that bothered me about this one. The fact that the father repeatedly says, "there goes the neighborhood" when a new (unwanted) animal moves into "their" tree is not a phrase I want to introduce young readers to.

[Pam]

A much needed lesson and reminder at this time.
The squirrel parents complain about each new neighbor who moves in because they are different. The family even moves across the stream to get away. They learn a valuable lesson when disaster strikes and the other animals rescue them.
Clever illustrations and a great read aloud to trigger discussion on belonging.

[Ashley]

In the picture book, The Belonging Tree, a family of squirrels begin feeling inconvenienced by their new animal neighbors. First the blue jays move in and they are loud and bossy. Then the chipmunks move in with all their crying babies. Then a family of beavers move into the nearby water and the parents are again annoyed because everyone knows how destructive beavers tend to be. They decide to pack up and move to an area where there are only other squirrels, but the baby squirrel misses all his different animal neighbors. He decides to visit them one night and gets himself, and his parents into a dangerous situation that the blue jays, chipmunks and beavers save them from. This makes the parents realize that they didn’t really give the new animals a chance and decide to move back into the old tree with a new frame of mind.
The Belonging Tree is a great way to discuss diversity with children. Each of the different animals can represent a different culture, nationality, religion, etc... and help to teach children that just because someone is different doesn’t mean you can’t live happily alongside them. In fact, all the differences keep things from getting boring and can enrich your own life if you give them a chance.

[fritz]

2/5 stars.

some things felt "off" about this story, including the "resolution." the squirrel parents discriminated against the new types of animals moving in to their neighborhood, while their son squirrel, zeke, accepted the new neighbors as his new friends. the story could have been better. the resolution left me scratching my head. the squirrel parents didn't seem to have to own up to their mistakes and didn't even apologize for their behavior; they only changed their tune once the other animals saved them from danger, and they put up a "everyone is welcome" sign after the other animals brought them all back to safety. On the back cover it reads, "a universal story about respect, inclusion, and acceptance," but it felt like most of the story was spent with the squirrel parents saying, "there goes the neighborhood!" whenever someone who didn't look like them moved in nearby. it was too much of the focus. unfortunately, this story is realistic, in the fact that those who are discriminated against usually don't get any kind of apology or receive atonement from those who are prejudiced against them. i think maybe i'm looking at this with a too "adult" lens, but frankly, i don't think this story would be much better from a child's point of view. idk.

[Stephanie Bange]

This would be ideal to share with children whose community is changing...

The Gray squirrel family was upset with the changes in their tree when a family of blue jays moved into their tree, then came the chipmunks, and beavers. Finally, the Gray squirrels feel forced to pack up their belongings and moved into an old maple tree on the other side of the river, and then disaster strikes and it is the community who comes to their rescue.

This allegory could be applied to today's society, with each of the animals equated to an ethnic, religious, or other social group. Cocca-Leffler's text is never didactic, always straightforward and on-target. Kristine A. Lombardi's illustrations, created using watercolor and Adobe Photoshop, are bright and cheery, with a good sense of "place" and "home" that young readers will appreciate. The anthropomorphised animals retain enough of their animal characteristics to identify, but exude emotions and behaviors that are very human.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Pinky]

Ma and Pa squirrel don't like how the neighborhood is turning out, so they move to the other side of the river with their son Zeke. Zeke wants to go back to his old house and he nearly falls into the river, but he gets saved by the blue jays. Ma and Pa would have been swept downstream if it wasn't for the beavers. So, Ma and Pa decide it's best to move back to their old neighborhood as their neighbors are the best.

[Melissa the Librarian]

Eek. I didn't like this book at all. Besides the loaded phrase "there goes the neighborhood!" sprinkled throughout, the squirrel family never learn their lesson. In fact, they only live in harmony with their neighbors after the neighbors risk their lives to save the squirrels (who've been jerks the whole time) and prove themselves "worthy." I think this book was trying to send a good message about acceptance, but it fell short.

[Vanessa]

This book fell short. The illustrations are pretty but the teaching moment lacks. The squirrel family didn't like different animals living near them so they moved away. The squirrel parents only accepted the other animals after they saved their lives. The idea of everyone belonging is there but the way it's presented is not how I would want to teach my children.

[Oxalis]

I totally could not see the comparison of animals to entitled humans. All of the other animals in the book evolved into existence alongside each other, forming an ecological community. The moral here is way too forced.

[Lisa D]

Cute book about animals living together In a community! Loved it! A great way for kids to learn acceptance & respect! This book has beautiful watercolor illustrations! this is one of my new favorite books!

[Sandra Matthews]

A touching tale of real life experiences. A gentle but real depiction of how accepting or exclusive we are in society....or even in our own home. This story opened up dialogue in our home about this (again). The use of warm and cool colours pairing with the story elements is brilliant!

[Liz Todd]

I think.. just too direct and blatant? It was hard to like a squirrel family that said, "There goes the neighborhood," every time a different animal moved in. I've read loads of more likeable stories with the same message done better.

[Jari Jones]

In a world where we want to teach children how to accept, respect, and include others, this book uses animals that live in trees these very important topics.

[Caterina]

Pa squirrel perhaps inspired by Archie Bunker? Illustrations and premise are lovely. #TeamLittleZeke.

[Laine]

gorgeous lush illustrations, and a lovely little story about bigotry and acceptance.

[Pat]

Such a sweet message for us all about being glad for our neighbors, whoever they may be.

[Stephani]

BGA:2

[Trish]

A cute book about being where you belong.

[DiAnne Warfield]

CADL FB Live story time 03-21-2022

[Erin]

Didactic book about a family of squirrels who are not welcoming of others until those others prove their value by helping the squirrels out of a dangerous situation. Meh.

[Rachel]

Has a nice message about inclusion.

[Sarah Limb]

A beautiful book about inclusion and being a friend to everyone.

[Miss Sarah]

A great lesson on prejudice as told by a squirrel family who learns to appreciate the new people moving into the neighborhood. Preschool and up

[Jenna Montgomery]

Sweet story of animals appreciating their new neighbors.

[رضوى أحمد عيد]

* 3.5

[Nanny B]

Great story
Beautiful illustrations!

[Emily]

Heavy handed morality tale, we don't have to talk down to children they understand