SOLVED. FOUND! "The Big Tree" by Mary and Conrad Buff (Can you help me find a short story about a Sequoia California Redwood that tells what happened in history during its long life that was in an anthology for 4th graders?) [s]

[Debra]

When I was in 4th grade, 1967-1968, we had an anthology reader that had poems and short stories. There was a short story in it that was about a sequoia tree -- I think it was called "Wawona" -- and the tree told the story about what happened in history at various points in the tree's long life. I can't remember if it was a Scholastic Book Service anthology. It was fascinating to read and I would love to read it again. I appreciate your help.

[Brenda]

A complete stab in the dark (no idea what selections are included), but does this look at all familiar:
The Arbuthnot Anthology of Children's Literature

[Debra]

Thanks, Brenda, but I don't think this was it. I know it had that Wawona story and also the poem by Robert Frost "Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening". That's all I remember It was some 4th grade reader that had a lot of different things in it. We read a lot of things from the Scholastic Book Service in elementary school, though. We could even order books through the Scholastic Book Service in 6th grade and the delivery would come in to our English class in school. I ordered books like "Nightmare In Funland" and "Love and Pasta" and "Raising Demons". As usual, thank you for your help!

[Brenda]

Hmmm, I think this might be your story (this isn't in an anthology though):
Big Tree

[Debra]

Yes, this is the book! Thank you, Brenda! From a customer review on amazon.com by someone who taught elementary school ihn the 1960's, it was included in a Scott Foresman supplemental reading book for advanced students (4th grade), which is where I read it. I just ordered a used copy (it is out of print) and eagerly await its arrival to re-read it.!

[Martin]

I loved that anthology!!! Another story in it (this was easy to find, even after 45 years) was Shag, Last of the Plains Buffalo. Problem: the first story was about a boy growing up in Saskatchewan. I remember very little about it other than I liked it very much too.

[Martin]

Asked and answered -- This may have been from a collection "Wide Horizons Reader." The Saskatchewan book was "Owls in the Family."

[Tim]

Enkidu wrote: "Asked and answered -- This may have been from a collection "Wide Horizons Reader." The Saskatchewan book was "Owls in the Family.""

Just out of curiosity, does this anthology have Life and Death of an Western Gladiator (think that's the title) which is a story from a rattlesnake's POV?

I remember Shag, Big Tree, and Owls in the Family as being old favorites (I was 4th grade '72).

[Lenah]

I know my comment is coming late, but I'm so excited and grateful for your posts! I've been looking for this book for years!
Almost like Debra, it was my book in 4th grade, around 1966, 1967, when I lived in Seoul, Korea. I just loved the story of the Sequoia, and I've always loved and respected trees since then. I remember very well also the story of Shag, the last Plain Buffalo, and the Saskatchewan boy (I've loved this name since) and also the story of a boy who had a new pair of sneakers, and the storytale of a boy who tricked a man with a red chariot. (Though maybe it was the 3rd grade one?) My mother threw this book away when I was in a foreign country and I really regretted it. Funny I'm a librarian... this can explain that?? So really thank you for the joy you brought me giving me the titles and authors. Now I'm goind to look for it on the net to buy it back if I can.!