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Poetrees
Seeds are sprouting, roots are spreading, and branches are swaying in this tree-mendous poetry collection. From coconut palms and bristlecone pines to baobabs and banyans, Douglas Florian explores the arboreal world with his signature wit and whimsy. Featuring a dynamic vertical format that illustrates the incredible heights and shapes of the trees, this book illuminates the natural history of these majestic beings as well as their unique and quirky characteristics.
45 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 23, 2019
"I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree," is an opening line (taken from Joyce Kilmer's Trees) that countless American schoolchildren have learned, over the years. Children's poet Douglas Florian - whose other picture-book collections include such titles as
Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings
and
Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
- makes his own attempt to capture the charm of the arboreal world in Poetrees, with delightful results! Informative, thoughtful, fun to read, these eighteen poems capture the enchantment, the majesty, the awesome beauty of trees. I think my favorite was Giant Sequoias:
Ancient seers
Of three thousand years.
Heavenly high.
Friends to the sky.
Spongy thick bark.
Large as an ark.
Gargantuan girth.
Anchored in earth.
Growing by degrees
To world's tallest trees.
Never destroy a
Giant sequoia.
The book itself opens vertically, rather than horizontally, making each two-page spread into one very long scroll-like page. The artwork, done in mixed media - gouache, colored pencil, rubber stamps, oil pastels and collage, all on brown paper bags - takes a little bit of getting used to, as it is sometimes a little dark, but ended up really winning me over. The outline of the "root-person," on the spread with the poem Roots had a kind of subtle power to it, suddenly jumping out from the page, after being overlooked at first glance. The spread with Giant Sequoias, quoted above, was quite colorful by contrast. All in all, a lovely collection, with poems that young tree-lovers will want to savor, and read over again, and eclectic artwork that is so much deeper and more moving than it seems at first glance. Highly recommended!
Ancient seers
Of three thousand years.
Heavenly high.
Friends to the sky.
Spongy thick bark.
Large as an ark.
Gargantuan girth.
Anchored in earth.
Growing by degrees
To world's tallest trees.
Never destroy a
Giant sequoia.
The book itself opens vertically, rather than horizontally, making each two-page spread into one very long scroll-like page. The artwork, done in mixed media - gouache, colored pencil, rubber stamps, oil pastels and collage, all on brown paper bags - takes a little bit of getting used to, as it is sometimes a little dark, but ended up really winning me over. The outline of the "root-person," on the spread with the poem Roots had a kind of subtle power to it, suddenly jumping out from the page, after being overlooked at first glance. The spread with Giant Sequoias, quoted above, was quite colorful by contrast. All in all, a lovely collection, with poems that young tree-lovers will want to savor, and read over again, and eclectic artwork that is so much deeper and more moving than it seems at first glance. Highly recommended!
April 22, 2010
Florian has turned his poetic talents to trees in this newest collection. His poems move from the parts of a tree like bark and roots to specific types of trees. He includes oaks, baobab, Japanese cedar, yews and many more. In each, he celebrates what makes them unique and special. He merges puns with poetry, offering a funny twist or humorous phrase. Florian evokes the essence of trees with ease here. His forest is one that is definitely worth wandering in.
Florian has also done the art work in this book. Done with a variety of media on paper bags, they evoke a roughness, a bark and a natural feel that perfect mesh with the poems. I particularly appreciate that you can see the folds and creases in the bags. They make you want to run your fingers across the page, only to find them glossy smooth.
Ideal for Earth Day or Arbor Day, this is a beautiful way to spend time with the trees around us. Appropriate for ages 5-10.
Florian has also done the art work in this book. Done with a variety of media on paper bags, they evoke a roughness, a bark and a natural feel that perfect mesh with the poems. I particularly appreciate that you can see the folds and creases in the bags. They make you want to run your fingers across the page, only to find them glossy smooth.
Ideal for Earth Day or Arbor Day, this is a beautiful way to spend time with the trees around us. Appropriate for ages 5-10.
April 3, 2010
Douglas Florian reliably creates poems of wonder and humor, and this book is no exception. Exploring the world's trees, Florian weaves scientific information and his naturalist's spirit into beautiful poems celebrating the world's trees. I found the illustrations dark and hard to visualize at first, then discovered in the end notes that Florian used recycled paper bags as a canvas.
September 25, 2010
A clever and fun book of poems about several different trees and various aspects of trees. The book opens lengthwise turn it clockwise 90 degrees and the pages spread tall--like trees!--rather than wide. The poems are fun and the illustrations work well with the poems. A fun book for kids young and old!
May 5, 2010
This book is somehow amazingly informative, poignant and lyrical all in one. Loved this book. Very beautiful. Very imaginative.
July 22, 2010
I confess, I love Douglas Florian's poetry! I enjoyed the use of vertical pages to create height for the trees.
March 21, 2021
The book holds up, as most poetry should, and was the perfect collection for celebrating "Communitrees," for a recent character education (connection with community) focus.
February 26, 2019
4 December 2009 POETREES by Douglas Florian, Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster, March 2010, 48p., ISBN: 978-1-4169-8672-0
I love how consistently creative Douglas Florian is in his conceptualizing, composing, and illustrating exceptionally fun bookfuls of poems that are focused on a child-friendly topic. Employing poetry across the curriculum is a valuable educational strategy, and many of Florian's books are so perfectly suited for utilizing poetry in the science curriculum. His DINOTHESAURUS was a big hit last year, and POETREES -- his new picture book of poems all about types and aspects of trees -- will be similarly celebrated.
Concentration of rich language is one of those aspects of poetry that is so enjoyable. Take a look at all of the examples of tree-speak Florian employs in these eighteen poems:
acorn, acre, anchor, ancient, array, banyan, bark, bend, boring, branch, bristlecone, canoe, canopy, cedar, celestial, climb, coconut, crown, dirt, dragon, elves, fig, flakes, forest, fronds, gargantuan, girth, gnawing, gnomes, growth, gum, heart-shaped, heartwood, heavenly, hollow, hues, jagged, jug, larvae, leaf, lobed, longevity, munching, native, oak, palm, peels, pillar, rain, rings, roots, sap, sapwood, scheme, scribbly, scurry, sequoias, seed, shields, spines, splits, spongy, stem, strewn, terrestrial, thrive, treading, trolls, trunk, voles, woodcuts, yew
The design of the book is equally inventive. Being that trees are so darn tall, this book opens with the spine at the top so that tree illustrations and text are able to stretch out and take up two-page vertical spreads measuring twenty inches bottom to top. Florian utilizes a variety of poetic forms beginning --so appropriately -- with a concrete poem (titled The Seed) in the shape of the infinity symbol.
Put all these pieces together, and here's an example of what you get:
"Roots
The roots of trees
Don't just grow
d
o
w
n
They b r a n c h out
Sideways, underground,
To help the tree to get a grip,
To anchor it so it won't slip.
As root hairs drink
The rain that
p
o
u
r
s
They sip it up like tiny straws.
While by the growing roots in holes
Live badgers, rabbits, moles, and voles.
They tunnel under roots of trees
And root there for their families."
The book concludes with a "Glossatree" that provides extensive botanical, historical, and cultural information about the subjects of the eighteen poems.
Having entertained my fellow travelers with an impromptu poetry read-aloud this afternoon, while we waited at the Jitney stop in midtown Manhattan, I can also tell you that these poems sound really great aloud.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
I love how consistently creative Douglas Florian is in his conceptualizing, composing, and illustrating exceptionally fun bookfuls of poems that are focused on a child-friendly topic. Employing poetry across the curriculum is a valuable educational strategy, and many of Florian's books are so perfectly suited for utilizing poetry in the science curriculum. His DINOTHESAURUS was a big hit last year, and POETREES -- his new picture book of poems all about types and aspects of trees -- will be similarly celebrated.
Concentration of rich language is one of those aspects of poetry that is so enjoyable. Take a look at all of the examples of tree-speak Florian employs in these eighteen poems:
acorn, acre, anchor, ancient, array, banyan, bark, bend, boring, branch, bristlecone, canoe, canopy, cedar, celestial, climb, coconut, crown, dirt, dragon, elves, fig, flakes, forest, fronds, gargantuan, girth, gnawing, gnomes, growth, gum, heart-shaped, heartwood, heavenly, hollow, hues, jagged, jug, larvae, leaf, lobed, longevity, munching, native, oak, palm, peels, pillar, rain, rings, roots, sap, sapwood, scheme, scribbly, scurry, sequoias, seed, shields, spines, splits, spongy, stem, strewn, terrestrial, thrive, treading, trolls, trunk, voles, woodcuts, yew
The design of the book is equally inventive. Being that trees are so darn tall, this book opens with the spine at the top so that tree illustrations and text are able to stretch out and take up two-page vertical spreads measuring twenty inches bottom to top. Florian utilizes a variety of poetic forms beginning --so appropriately -- with a concrete poem (titled The Seed) in the shape of the infinity symbol.
Put all these pieces together, and here's an example of what you get:
"Roots
The roots of trees
Don't just grow
d
o
w
n
They b r a n c h out
Sideways, underground,
To help the tree to get a grip,
To anchor it so it won't slip.
As root hairs drink
The rain that
p
o
u
r
s
They sip it up like tiny straws.
While by the growing roots in holes
Live badgers, rabbits, moles, and voles.
They tunnel under roots of trees
And root there for their families."
The book concludes with a "Glossatree" that provides extensive botanical, historical, and cultural information about the subjects of the eighteen poems.
Having entertained my fellow travelers with an impromptu poetry read-aloud this afternoon, while we waited at the Jitney stop in midtown Manhattan, I can also tell you that these poems sound really great aloud.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
December 5, 2018
Summary: This is a really cute book of fun poems that include some information about different types of trees and some of their parts. There is a total of eighteen poems in this book, and each one is unique just like different trees are. At the end of the book there is a glossary, entitled a “glossatree”, to provide useful facts about the trees. Some of the trees covered in this book are the sequoia, oak, and coconut palm.
Evaluation: I really love that this book is read vertically! The vertical reading, colorful pictures, and fun rhyming words are sure to keep children engaged. The poem that really jumped out to me in this book is titled Paper Birch. Those trees were always my favorite growing up, and it made me smile to see one in this book of tree poems. Maybe students in my classroom will also find a poem that is most meaningful to them from this book as well. While doing further research on this book, I found out that Douglas Florian used paper bags to paint his illustrations on.
Teaching Idea: This would be a great book to use during a poetry lesson while also learning about trees. Students could break into partners or groups of three to learn more about one of the trees in this book. After they have done some research and gathered their information, they could write their own poem about that tree. They can choose to do this still in small groups or on their own if preferred. This will allow for differentiation if some students prefer to work on their own. Then, students could design their own horizontal page with the poem and illustration. We could create our own classroom book that each student could take a turn bringing it home to share with their family.
Evaluation: I really love that this book is read vertically! The vertical reading, colorful pictures, and fun rhyming words are sure to keep children engaged. The poem that really jumped out to me in this book is titled Paper Birch. Those trees were always my favorite growing up, and it made me smile to see one in this book of tree poems. Maybe students in my classroom will also find a poem that is most meaningful to them from this book as well. While doing further research on this book, I found out that Douglas Florian used paper bags to paint his illustrations on.
Teaching Idea: This would be a great book to use during a poetry lesson while also learning about trees. Students could break into partners or groups of three to learn more about one of the trees in this book. After they have done some research and gathered their information, they could write their own poem about that tree. They can choose to do this still in small groups or on their own if preferred. This will allow for differentiation if some students prefer to work on their own. Then, students could design their own horizontal page with the poem and illustration. We could create our own classroom book that each student could take a turn bringing it home to share with their family.
Read
December 5, 20191. With a fun play on words, this book is a collection of poems about trees. Through fun text structure, rhymes, and wit, Florian describes different kinds of trees. From oak trees to coconut palm trees, this book will leave the reader feeling intrigued through quirky writing.
2. I really liked this book because I loved the play on words. I thought it was so clever and I think students would have a lot of fun hearing them and reading them on their own. I think it would also be fun to have each student research a tree, write their own poem, and, as a class, create our own poetree tree!
3. While reading this book of poems, I was thinking of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Although the poems in Florian’s book are about the physical qualities of trees, The Giving Tree also gives the tree distinct qualities. I think it would be interesting to read the two together and learn about character traits about personality vs. appearance.
4. I would use this book of poems as a mentor text. I think it is a great example of the different elements of poetry including rhyme, simile, and personification.
2. I really liked this book because I loved the play on words. I thought it was so clever and I think students would have a lot of fun hearing them and reading them on their own. I think it would also be fun to have each student research a tree, write their own poem, and, as a class, create our own poetree tree!
3. While reading this book of poems, I was thinking of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Although the poems in Florian’s book are about the physical qualities of trees, The Giving Tree also gives the tree distinct qualities. I think it would be interesting to read the two together and learn about character traits about personality vs. appearance.
4. I would use this book of poems as a mentor text. I think it is a great example of the different elements of poetry including rhyme, simile, and personification.
October 4, 2019
Poetrees by Douglas Florian fits under the genre of poetry because the book contains poems about more than 10 different kinds of trees and the parts of a tree. The book includes a poem and two page, vertical picture for each different type of tree like an oak, weeping willow, and giant sequoia. The book also contains a poem and two-page, vertical picture for different parts of a tree like the leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and tree rings. Each poem talks about the unique characteristics of each tree and uses descriptive language. For example, the giant sequoia is heavenly high, large as an ark, and gargantuan girth. Lastly, the book contains a glossatree at the end of the book and has facts about each section of the book. I would recommend this book because the poems are a fun way to learn about different kinds of trees and the characteristics of a tree. The illustrations and structure of the book are unique, and I think it would be fascinating for children to read this book and discover the beauty of trees.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2018
Florian’s tribute to trees enfolds his poems on different tree species and tree parts with his idiosyncratic style of illustrations. By turning the book 90 degrees, he lets his tree take root in the vertical range to double pages—very nice effect! Trees are more beings than things for Florian and the range of his use of mixed media on paper backgrounds bring them to life. His verse takes many forms too, making this a good jumping-off point for budding 😉poets and artists. His use of typefaces is also energetic, with his hand-drawn display type for the cover, and the display type for the table of contents and title of each poem. Florian’s illustrations take some getting used to, but he has fun with the whole project and the experience of joining him is satisfying.
February 25, 2019
(POETRY)
Love love love. The vertical format is unique and immediately drew me in. Helped to demonstrate the unique height and details of the trees through illustrations. The text also was unique and played a roll in the telling of the poem or in adding to the illustration. Beautiful weaving together of text and images to help demonstrate the weaving flow that poetry has on ones thoughts and emotions. Truly engaging. Loved the "Glossatree" at the end which had a short paragraph of all the trees that were presented in each poem. Unique and punny.
Love love love. The vertical format is unique and immediately drew me in. Helped to demonstrate the unique height and details of the trees through illustrations. The text also was unique and played a roll in the telling of the poem or in adding to the illustration. Beautiful weaving together of text and images to help demonstrate the weaving flow that poetry has on ones thoughts and emotions. Truly engaging. Loved the "Glossatree" at the end which had a short paragraph of all the trees that were presented in each poem. Unique and punny.
April 25, 2018
This is a book of poetry that focuses on different types of trees that are in the world. This book has a different layout then most books so this could help kids start thinking more about how they can be creative with the layouts of their poems they write.
Lexile Measures- 700L
Guided Reading- P
Six Traits plus One- Presentation, Word Choice and Sentence Fluency
Lexile Measures- 700L
Guided Reading- P
Six Traits plus One- Presentation, Word Choice and Sentence Fluency
May 28, 2023
A unique part of the book is that it is created to be a vertical book. This suits the book because of the tall illustrations depicting trees. For each page there is a different kind of tree or different part of a tree and a poem describing this. I love the illustrations of the trees. They are simple but lovely.
May 28, 2025
I loved this so much; the playfulness and creativity of the words and layout. And I learnt so much, even before the extra info section at the back! I don't know if my 8 year old appreciated it quite as much but I'm not 100% sure this book is just for kids anyway.
CONTENT:
Nothing that would concern a Muslim family. All just wonder at the beauty of nature.
CONTENT:
Nothing that would concern a Muslim family. All just wonder at the beauty of nature.
March 20, 2017
This book talks about the trees in poems. It talks about branches and leaves as well. Teaching children facts about the trees. The illustrations are great. A lot of gree/tree colors.
Teachable points: Trees, branches, trunks, parts of a tree.
Teachable points: Trees, branches, trunks, parts of a tree.
September 12, 2017
I did not like this book, it was all about trees. I know it is written for kids, but the art was weird, and the poems were weirder. If all his books are this bizarre, I'd never read another one. I have nothing positive to say about "Poetries".
March 25, 2017
I honestly liked this book. The word styling was so unique a personal and it made you feel more connected. The book opened in an unusual way and it made me feel a little awkward at first but I saw how it played a large factor in the writing. I really liked the style and it made a cool experience.
April 19, 2019
An all around delightful collection.
August 2, 2019
#cbad 2018-2019 - 5th grade SCA - 4/11/19 - average rating 4.6
October 25, 2019
Loved this collection of tree tales.
October 29, 2019
This is a cute poem book that shows how one seed grew into a big tree.
November 20, 2019
A quick read with short poems that would be great for making observations and practicing language, visualization, and metaphors.
August 1, 2020
It’s so great to read poetry with a 3 1/2 year old. We especially liked tree rings after we’d watched a tree in our neighborhood getting cut down.
February 17, 2021
Some of the poems and illustrations in this collection were quite good. Others fell flat. The back matter about trees was a great resource.
May 2, 2022
This book is full of short poems about trees! The end of this book has information on each tree that was written about in the poems.
Six Traits +1 - Word Choice
Guided Reading: N/A
ATOS: N/A
Six Traits +1 - Word Choice
Guided Reading: N/A
ATOS: N/A
February 17, 2024
Fun book! The poems are delightful...and I really enjoyed the information at the end. The illustrations of Douglas Florian (who is also the author) are wonderful.
October 5, 2025
really amazing art and format as well as enjoyable and educational poems!
December 29, 2017
So punny! Started with Beast Feast and have read all our library has of his work. This is my second favorite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews