The Branch

When an ice storm snaps a small girl's favorite branch from the tree in her yard, she's crestfallen. The girl's mom says it's just a branch. But not to her! "That was the branch I sat on, jumped from, played under. It was my castle, my spy base, my ship ..." Luckily, her neighbor Mr. Frank understands. He says the branch has "potential." "What's potential?" she asks. "It means it's worth keeping." And so, with imagination and spirit, and Mr. Frank's guidance and tools, the girl transforms the broken branch into something whole and new, giving it another purpose, and her another place to treasure. In this endearing picture book, author Mireille Messier explores a young child's experience with loss and renewal. Though the little girl is heartbroken that her special perch in the tree is gone, the kindness and vision of her neighbor, combined with her own creativity and determination, help her recognize that it can have a new life in a different form. The charming intergenerational relationship adds depth and richness to the story, as it becomes clear they both offer something valuable to each other. The story is vividly and warmly illustrated by renowned, award-winning artist, Pierre Pratt. This book would work well for character education lessons on perseverance, teamwork and initiative. It also provides an excellent example of caring for the environment by reusing salvaged materials, making it a terrific pick for Maker Spaces and STEAM lessons.

Author: Mireille Messier
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Published: 09/06/2016
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.50h x 8.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781771385640
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 191109 / Branch


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2016
Publishers Weekly 07/11/2016
School Library Journal 09/01/2016 pg. 128
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2016 pg. 63
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2017 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Mireille Messier is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based children's writer with a background in broadcasting and theater. Since the launch of her first book in 2003, Mireille has published over twenty books. When she's not at her computer writing, she thinks up new stories while she walks, drives or sails her big old boat. Mireille lives in Toronto with her husband, two wonderful teenage daughters and two extremely fluffy cats.

Pierre Pratt is the internationally acclaimed, award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children. He lives and works in Montreal, Quebec, and in Lisbon, Portugal.

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