Picture Book Spotlight: The Belonging Tree

The Belonging Tree, written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and illustrated by Kristine A. Lombardi, is a story about a family of squirrels who learn a much-needed lesson about inclusion and belonging. The family struggles with change and acceptance as they watch new neighbors move into their tree.

As each new family moves in, their unhappiness increases to the point that they decide to move away. In the end, the neighbors work together to save the squirrel family when disaster strikes. In the end, the squirrels learn a much-needed lesson in the beauty of diversity in their community.

The Belonging Tree – Book Trailer

Why I Love it For The Classroom

The Belonging Tree is the perfect book to jumpstart a discussion with your class about diversity, inclusion, respect, and acceptance.

There are so many timely and important themes woven through this short picture book. Respecting and recognizing our differences is a common thread throughout the book. As the adult squirrels grapple with the idea of new neighbors moving into their neighborhood – birds, chipmunks, and finally, beavers – they spend time discussing the way these new neighbors will disrupt their lives. Meanwhile, the son is busy looking for the positives in their differences. Differences that eventually save the day for the squirrel family in an emergency situation.

This straightforward story mirrors the changes that are happening in many of our own communities. In the woodland community, we are offered two very different responses to change – with fear and anger, or with excitement and inclusion.

This is the type of message that is perfect for setting the tone for your classroom community at the start of the school year or to read as social issues pop up in our classroom throughout the year. Just be sure to allow time for the important discussion afterward.

Discussion Questions for the Classroom

• What ways have you seen your own community change? How did you feel?
• How do the squirrel parents react to the changes in the neighborhood? Why do people sometimes react to change in an unkind way?
• How could the way someone is raised affect their acceptance of people who are different from themselves?
• Has anyone ever made an assumption about you based on the way you look or another quality you have? How did it make you feel?
• What could we do if someone has a unique difference or quality that we don’t understand?
• What ways are we different than our classmates and neighbors? How can we celebrate the qualities that make us unique?

Themes

• Tolerance
• Inclusion
• Belonging
• Changes
• Acceptance
• Communities

The Final Word:

This timely story delivers an important message in an easy to understand and discuss package. It’s the perfect length to fit into any class schedule and will facilitate discussions that will strengthen your classroom community. I highly recommend adding The Belonging Tree to your classroom library.

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