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The Survivor Tree
A family plants an American elm on the Great Plains of Oklahoma just as the capital city is taking root--the little tree grows as Oklahoma City grows until 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, the day America fell silent at the hands of one of its own. With her branches torn and tattered and filled with evidence from the bombing, the charred elm faces calls from some that she be cut down. In the end, as the rubble of the Alfred P. Murrah Building is cleared, the solitary charred tree remains but only because of a few who marvel that, like them, she is still there. The next spring when the first buds appear proving the tree is alive, the word spreads like a prairie wildfire through the city and the world. And the tree, now a beacon of hope and strength, is christened with a new name: The Survivor Tree.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2017
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 27, 2019
Beautiful depiction of the horrible events of the Oklahoma City Bombing.
November 19, 2023
"I was a tree that love had planted. I had become a symbol that love will always conquer hate."
The story of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, in which 168 people lost their lives, is told in this immensely moving picture book from the perspective of the American elm tree which survived the cataclysm. Planted on the prairie as the city around it was just starting to grow, the tree matured with the family that cultivated it, and endured after they left it behind. Eventually, in the 1970s, a large federal office building was built beside the tree, and it became a site for office workers to take their lunches, and children from the building's day care center to play. Then one terrible day, in April 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the building, killing many of those inside, including nineteen of the children in the day care. The tree, caught up as the people were in this terrible event, was a charred ruin of its former self. Many said it should be chopped down, especially as there was evidence from the blast in its seemingly dead branches. Despite this, it somehow survived, and the next spring it bloomed again, bringing hope to the people of Oklahoma City and America. A symbol of strength, resilience, healing and love, the tree was dubbed the Survivor Tree, and its seedlings were planted in all fifty states, including one on the grounds of the 9/11 memorial in New York City, where another famous survivor tree also stands...
Like so many others alive at the time, one of my most vivid memories of the Oklahoma City bombing was the iconic image, reproduced in so many different newspapers and television news programs, of a firefighter cradling the bloodied body of a tiny child, killed in the bombing. I have but to think of that image, to feel a lump in my throat, and a terrible sense of sadness. Although often overshadowed by the subsequent events of 9/11 in our national memory, the bombing of the Edward P. Murrah building was a terrible trauma for the country, and author Gaye Sanders, a fourth-grade teacher in the Mustang, OK schools, handles the subject beautifully. Her text is emotionally resonant, and deeply moving, following the life story of the tree and letting the events it witnesses speak for themselves. Its power is complemented and accentuated by illustrator Pamela Behrend's simple but expressive artwork, which looks to have been done in colored pencil or crayon. I had to obtain this one through interlibrary-loan, and I sought it out after being immensely moved by a number of picture books about the survivor tree at the World Trade Center— Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree , This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth , and Survivor Tree —and discovering this other survivor tree, from an earlier terrorist atrocity. I think that stories like this are an excellent way of approaching terrible events, when working with younger children, because they focus on hope and healing, resilience and strength, rather than on the hatefulness and evil that led to those events. Given the subject matter, I would recommend this one for slightly older picture books audiences, perhaps in the upper primary school range. It would make an excellent avenue for discussion with children curious about the Oklahoma City combing, and a good companion to one of the 9/11 survivor tree stories mentioned above.
The story of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, in which 168 people lost their lives, is told in this immensely moving picture book from the perspective of the American elm tree which survived the cataclysm. Planted on the prairie as the city around it was just starting to grow, the tree matured with the family that cultivated it, and endured after they left it behind. Eventually, in the 1970s, a large federal office building was built beside the tree, and it became a site for office workers to take their lunches, and children from the building's day care center to play. Then one terrible day, in April 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the building, killing many of those inside, including nineteen of the children in the day care. The tree, caught up as the people were in this terrible event, was a charred ruin of its former self. Many said it should be chopped down, especially as there was evidence from the blast in its seemingly dead branches. Despite this, it somehow survived, and the next spring it bloomed again, bringing hope to the people of Oklahoma City and America. A symbol of strength, resilience, healing and love, the tree was dubbed the Survivor Tree, and its seedlings were planted in all fifty states, including one on the grounds of the 9/11 memorial in New York City, where another famous survivor tree also stands...
Like so many others alive at the time, one of my most vivid memories of the Oklahoma City bombing was the iconic image, reproduced in so many different newspapers and television news programs, of a firefighter cradling the bloodied body of a tiny child, killed in the bombing. I have but to think of that image, to feel a lump in my throat, and a terrible sense of sadness. Although often overshadowed by the subsequent events of 9/11 in our national memory, the bombing of the Edward P. Murrah building was a terrible trauma for the country, and author Gaye Sanders, a fourth-grade teacher in the Mustang, OK schools, handles the subject beautifully. Her text is emotionally resonant, and deeply moving, following the life story of the tree and letting the events it witnesses speak for themselves. Its power is complemented and accentuated by illustrator Pamela Behrend's simple but expressive artwork, which looks to have been done in colored pencil or crayon. I had to obtain this one through interlibrary-loan, and I sought it out after being immensely moved by a number of picture books about the survivor tree at the World Trade Center— Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree , This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth , and Survivor Tree —and discovering this other survivor tree, from an earlier terrorist atrocity. I think that stories like this are an excellent way of approaching terrible events, when working with younger children, because they focus on hope and healing, resilience and strength, rather than on the hatefulness and evil that led to those events. Given the subject matter, I would recommend this one for slightly older picture books audiences, perhaps in the upper primary school range. It would make an excellent avenue for discussion with children curious about the Oklahoma City combing, and a good companion to one of the 9/11 survivor tree stories mentioned above.
April 7, 2019
So, “The Survivor Tree” is very different than the books I usually do. Same genre, children’s, but this picture book has a much, MUCH more solemn theme.
Recently, I’ve been writing a lot more reviews trying to keep up one of my New Year’s resolutions to review 12 picture books a month. Sometimes, I end up using a lot of the same words and phrases: “super fun”, “sweet”, “easy read”, “cute”, etc. Obviously, those are not appropriate descriptors for a book that recounts the Murrah Bombing. Finding the right words for this review is difficult to say the least.
To start, I’ll mention my favorite parts of the book. The illustrator’s artistic style is absolutely spot-on for the tone. Children can relate to colored pencil drawings, and Pamela Behrend does a lovely job! I have to highlight Gaye’s magnificent use of repetition. As the story progresses, the tree circles back to describing a day a certain way: a productive day, a day for courage, days of healing, etc. It gives the story cohesiveness and flow. Love that writing style. I do it, too, in my own writing. Also, I was surprised the story has a first-person point of view! I don’t know what I was expecting, but with that perspective, the reader really connects and empathizes with the main character, the Survivor Tree. Brilliant writing choice, Gaye!
Now, the story touched me on a personal level in two different ways. Firstly, as an Okie I have grown up with the tragedy of the Bombing. I was only five years old when it happened, so it became a prominent part of my childhood. As kindergarten at my school was half-day, I was home with my mother. We went out to the front porch and looked east, the direction where the smoke pillars rose in the sky. I grew worried for my father who worked in Oklahoma City, but my mama assured me his office was in a different part of town. Secondly why this book means so much, well, I wrote a draft of a serious children’s book. I wanted to take a crack at a picture book for young children on how to deal with bullying. I was truly excited with the way I was approaching this sensitive topic; I thought it was unique. Feedback came and replaced excitement with disappointment. But such is the writer’s journey! I couldn’t wait to read “The Survivor Tree” and see how a professional wrote an eloquent, but solemn, children’s book. Ihoped to get some tips to improve draft 2 of my bullying book, and I know I’ll do better thanks to Gaye’s writing.
Tell me about a serious, or even sad, book that touched you? Did it leave a mark on you in a positive way? Did it change you or help you cope?
Recently, I’ve been writing a lot more reviews trying to keep up one of my New Year’s resolutions to review 12 picture books a month. Sometimes, I end up using a lot of the same words and phrases: “super fun”, “sweet”, “easy read”, “cute”, etc. Obviously, those are not appropriate descriptors for a book that recounts the Murrah Bombing. Finding the right words for this review is difficult to say the least.
To start, I’ll mention my favorite parts of the book. The illustrator’s artistic style is absolutely spot-on for the tone. Children can relate to colored pencil drawings, and Pamela Behrend does a lovely job! I have to highlight Gaye’s magnificent use of repetition. As the story progresses, the tree circles back to describing a day a certain way: a productive day, a day for courage, days of healing, etc. It gives the story cohesiveness and flow. Love that writing style. I do it, too, in my own writing. Also, I was surprised the story has a first-person point of view! I don’t know what I was expecting, but with that perspective, the reader really connects and empathizes with the main character, the Survivor Tree. Brilliant writing choice, Gaye!
Now, the story touched me on a personal level in two different ways. Firstly, as an Okie I have grown up with the tragedy of the Bombing. I was only five years old when it happened, so it became a prominent part of my childhood. As kindergarten at my school was half-day, I was home with my mother. We went out to the front porch and looked east, the direction where the smoke pillars rose in the sky. I grew worried for my father who worked in Oklahoma City, but my mama assured me his office was in a different part of town. Secondly why this book means so much, well, I wrote a draft of a serious children’s book. I wanted to take a crack at a picture book for young children on how to deal with bullying. I was truly excited with the way I was approaching this sensitive topic; I thought it was unique. Feedback came and replaced excitement with disappointment. But such is the writer’s journey! I couldn’t wait to read “The Survivor Tree” and see how a professional wrote an eloquent, but solemn, children’s book. Ihoped to get some tips to improve draft 2 of my bullying book, and I know I’ll do better thanks to Gaye’s writing.
Tell me about a serious, or even sad, book that touched you? Did it leave a mark on you in a positive way? Did it change you or help you cope?
September 26, 2023
Stunning. Perfect tone for littles and pre-k to middle grade kids. It's about the OKC bombing in April 1995 without being heavy-handed, didactic, scary, or political. It's appropriate, thoughtful, sweet, and touching. Also an excellent book for general grief and recovery.
We loved the story telling from the Survivor Tree POV. The tragic event was only a few moments in a person's, city's or tree's lifetime. The bulk of the story tells of the tree's life before and after the one difficult incident. It gives a frame for growth and healing around the tragedy, applicable to other difficulties as well.
Love wins over hate.
We loved the story telling from the Survivor Tree POV. The tragic event was only a few moments in a person's, city's or tree's lifetime. The bulk of the story tells of the tree's life before and after the one difficult incident. It gives a frame for growth and healing around the tragedy, applicable to other difficulties as well.
Love wins over hate.
November 15, 2017
A very special picture book about an important and tragic day in American history, told from the perspective of the American elm that witnessed the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995—a thoughtful recounting and a reminder of what can happen when hate is allowed to fester in a young man's heart—but also what love can overcome.
January 8, 2018
“The Survivor Tree” is a wonderful book that calls attention to one of the important symbols of hope after the OKC bombing. Gaye Sanders has done an excellent job bringing the story of the tree to life and sharing the story of the bombing with a new generation.
January 28, 2019
Be ready to shed some tears. Beautiful artwork, and a sweet touch using the tree to share a devastating story, and yet end on a positive note. A very truthful, and touching theme presented here in such a careful way for younger ones to digest.
October 17, 2020
How does one write a picture book about the Oklahoma City bombing? The book tells the story with truth and gentleness so young readers can understand that bad things happen and people come together to help. The illustrations help tell the story with a beautiful tree as a central focus. Well done!
November 23, 2021
This book was absolutely fantastic. It was a wonderful way to teach my children about the OKC Bombing as well as the survivor tree before we visit the Memorial. It was hard to not get emotional reading this. I highly recommend this book.
November 5, 2017
This wasn’t a long book at all but it held the heart of Oklahoma City in it. Absolutely beautiful.
December 8, 2017
Such a beautiful book that captures the heart and spirit of those involved during that tragic time, in a addition to all those who keep the memory alive.
June 2, 2019
Very touching book about the Oklahoma City bombing from a tree’s perspective.
November 21, 2019
Wonderful book to share with kids as you are going to the memorial...
Seeing the real tree and area of that day
Seeing the real tree and area of that day
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews