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Reviewed by: A Primary/Elementary School Librarian Title: The Together Tree Author: Aisha Saeed Publisher: Salaam Reads
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: PK-3 Genre/Type of Book: Picture Book
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Bullying Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: It was in the new release section at Barnes and Noble, so I decided to read it. If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: You are not alone.
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Review:
This book is about a character named Rumi who just started at a new school. Rumi starts to get bullied for the shoes he is wearing. They call them "ugly" and "too big". Rumi and his friends back home worked together to make these shoes. Kids continue to bully Rumi in music class and he begins to cry. During recess, he gets hit with a rock while sitting alone under a tree. This gets the attention of another student who bravely comforts him through writing him a note. Other students start to join in and play with Rumi- which creates more friendships. The illustrations are simple and inspiring. The beautiful willow tree on the front cover is shown throughout the story.
This book is perfect for SEL learning which my school focuses on. Students can relate to this story and share their experiences when they might have helped out a friend or they were the new person in class. At the end of the book, the author shares her sons experience with bullying in school which can become even more relatable for students.
This story can focus on SEL learning. You can talk about the willow tree being Rumi's "safe space", where is yours? It also talks about Asher offering comfort when there is conflict. You can make a classroom or library willow tree and add words of kindness for the leaves.
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Find this video and other resources for When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website
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