STORYBOOK: The Belonging Tree by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Kristine A. Lombardi
The Belonging Tree is a thoughtful 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?
It will take an unexpected moment of heroism from a thoughtful inhabitant to finally open hearts and bind together this diverse animal community.
Questions:
- At the beginning of the story, who lived in the big oak tree?
- What did Pa and Ma say about the Blue Jays who moved to the tree?
- Why did Ma, Pa, and Zeke move to an old maple tree?
- How do you think Zeke felt when they moved
- Who came to help Zeke, Ma and Pa when they were in trouble?
- What makes a good neighbor?
- Who does Jesus say is our neighbor?
Activity: Children may draw a self-portrait on a cut-out leaf to put on a church family tree.