Welcome to Week Five of Summer Book Club!
We hope you've had some time this summer sitting in the shade of a tree, having a picnic at a leafy park, or swinging from a tree swing. And in honor of all of those arbor adventures, we're so happy to share this week's choice, The Tree Lady!
We love stories about remarkable women and we love trees and this book has both. In this beautifully illustrated historical biography, readers follow the remarkable life of a hidden hero who made a difference one tree at a time.
In this moving picture book, the wonderful true story of Katherine Olivia Session is unearthed and readers learn how she transformed San Diego from a dry desert town into the tree covered and lush city it is now known to be. Kate Sessions was a brave scientist who transformed her world at a time when women rarely had this kind of agency. Not to mention, this book is also a timely reminder of how a simple act of planting trees can make such a huge impact for our world.
Day One: Read & Discuss
On the first day of the book club, read the book with your children and savor the illustrations and take your time reading the story. After reading, discuss the story together. There is a lot to discuss with this book as it covers subjects of science, women's history and women's rights, the importance of trees, and how we can make a difference in our world.
Ask your children if they have any questions, what they found interesting, what things they relate to, and encourage them to share anything that caught their attention. Taking time to discuss and explore the story allows the book to really make an impression and to sink in more deeply.
We've compiled a list of discussion topics you can explore if you'd like some ideas to get started:
1. What are your favorite things about trees? Do you know how trees help the planet?
2. Kate Sessions did a lot of things that young girls and women did not typically do in the 1860's. She was a very brave person. Are there things you do in your life that feel brave? It can be a tiny act or a very big one.
3. Kate Session also believed trees were her friends and felt at home in the woods. Do you feel that way? Did you know that trees communicate with each other through their roots?
4. Have you ever planted a tree? If not, did you know you can start growing trees from small seeds. For example, tiny acorns grow into oak trees!
Day Two: Drawing & Writing Prompt
On the second day of book club, we return to the story to retell it and think more deeply about what we learned. This is a Waldorf practice of really connecting with the book and taking the essence of the story to a deeper level.
We've provided some drawing and writing prompts that you can encourage your children to work on, helping them to solidify the ideas of the story. Children also love to retell the story through play whether through play set ups or by creating a small theater with a playsilk curtain to perform their own reenactment.
Or they might simply prefer to discuss it further with you. Do what works best for your family and keep it fun. If they are excited to write and draw, set up a space for them with pencils, crayons and paper all easily accessible. Add the book to the space for them to look through for ideas.
Here is our drawing and writing prompt for The Tree Lady:
Create a small notebook from folding paper of your choice and then staple it in the center. This will be your tree identification book. Decorate the cover and then go on a hunt for different trees throughout your neighborhood. Encourage your children to notice all of the differences they see in the trees around your neighborhood, from the bark to the leaves. As they find different trees, have them sketch the tree and its leaves, and write down things they notice about it. If you have a tree guide, great, bring that along and match your observations with what you find in the guidebook. If not, visit the library for a guide book or consult the internet. Your children can add to this book all summer and even add to it throughout the seasons.
Day Three: Craft a Planter for a Baby Tree
After reading the book of the week, try your hand at painting your very own planter. Have fun decorating your piece with vibrant colors and beautiful patterns, and finish by planting a tree of your very own.
Gather Your Supplies:
These are the supplies for this project:
- Terracotta planter
- Paint brush
- Paint
Create Your Very Own Painted Terracotta Planter:
Step 1: Gather your supplies. You will need a terracotta planter, paint (we used acrylic), and brushes.
Step 2: Using your paint and brushes have fun painting your planter with any designs you want!
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