  | Gravity tree : the true story of a tree that inspired the world Author: Redding, Anna Crowley | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
A tree may seem like a rather ordinary thing. But hundreds of years ago, a tree was about to embark on an extraordinary journey. And it all started with just a speck of a seed. From rocketing into space to adorning the queen's carriage, the Gravity Tree's unexpectedly remarkable and true story is a tale for the ages.
| Illustrator: | Imamura, Yasmin |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.50 Points: .5 Quiz: 513498 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (03/15/21)
School Library Journal (05/01/21)
Booklist (05/01/21)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (00/05/21)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/01/2021 Centuries ago, an apple seed sprouted and grew into a sturdy tree that can still be seen beside Sir Isaac Newton’s childhood home. Around 1665, when he returned there as a “question-asking, truth-seeking, math-loving” young man, the sight of an apple falling from the tree inspired his groundbreaking theory of gravitation. Since then the tree has been struck by lightning and toppled, but it survives and continues to bear fruit. Generations of scientists, including Albert Einstein in 1930 and Stephen Hawking in 1987, have visited the Gravity Tree to pay their respects to Newton. Seeds from the tree have been planted and grown into trees around the world to inspire others. Appended to the main text is a section offering further information about the tree as well as about Newton, Einstein, and Hawking. Imamura’s digital illustrations portray the natural world and the featured thinkers with energy, focus, and style. Introducing the idea that scientists exploring new ideas also honor earlier trailblazers in their fields, this picture book may resonate with science-minded children. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 05/01/2021 PreS-Gr 3—This nonfiction picture book tells the story of the tree Isaac Newton observed, which inspired his scientific discovery of universal gravity. After Newton's observations made the tree living history, it became known as the Gravity Tree. People from near and far flocked to the tree just to sit under it, to eat one of its apples. In 1820, a storm threatened to destroy the Gravity Tree, severely splintering it. Luckily, the tree was still alive and new roots formed, allowing the tree to continue to grow. In 1930, Albert Einstein visited the tree on his way to deliver a lecture about his ideas which were built on Newton's discoveries. Physicist Stephen Hawking, whose work studying black holes and gravity hearkens back to Newton, visited the tree in 1987, and in 2010 a sliver of the tree was released aboard the International Space Station. The Gravity Tree continues to thrive and new gravity trees have been created by expert gardeners planting seeds from its apples. In lyrical storytelling, award-winning investigative reporter Redding imparts the message that small, ordinary things can change the world with the aim of inspiring children to recognize that they have the potential to influence the world. Back matter includes information about the Gravity Tree; brief biographies of Newton, Einstein, and Hawking; a bibliography; and a time line. The expressive artwork supports the text and the book's potential to work well as a read-aloud title. VERDICT Where science meets history, inspiration grows; recommended purchase for all collections.—Samantha Lumetta, P.L. of Cincinnati and Hamilton Cty., OH - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
