Review Detail

Our Tree

Kids Fiction 336

The value of community and sharing

March 05, 2025 (Updated: July 01, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Red Squirrel climbs up in the tree and announces that it is HIS tree. The tree gently asks him to look behind… and there are a number of insects. This doesn’t make the squirrel happy, and he is even angrier to find a number of swifts also nesting in the tree. It’s too loud and crowded! When an elephant further irritates Red Squirrel by rubbing his back on the bark, he’s had it, and announces that he is leaving to find a tree he doesn’t have to share. Of course, he falls out of the tree… right onto a leopard! The leopard bounds into the tree after our irritable friend, who is saved by the combined effort of all of the tree’s inhabitants. This softens Red Squirrel’s opinions of community (since it now benefits him!), and he decides to stay.

Good Points

Red Squirrel has the personality of an irascible fourth grader who wants to be ALONE, and wants everyone to be quiet, which contrasts nicely with the tree's calm and quiet demeanor. There is so much activity in the tree, and this is a great book to use for counting or for searching for something in the busy illustrations.

I was ridiculously bothered by the fact that the squirrel existed in the same habitat as an elephant and a leopard, but young readers might not have the same objection to including animals from different regions for the sake of a good story.

This is a pleasing book about community that should go over well with fans of Hasler and Wald’s Sloth’s Tree House Inn, Offsay’s The Quiet Forest, Wheeler’s A Cozy Winter’s Day, or Perkins’ Wintercake. It’s also a good choice for readers who just enjoy reading a cute squirrel tale like Ryland’s Have You Seen My Acorn, Nass’ Fix and Stitch, Rosen’s I Am Hungry, or Isern’s Squirrel Has Trouble Saying No.