The Together Tree

4.3

5.0 (1)

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Author(s)

Aisha Saeed

Co-Authors / Illustrators

LeUyen Pham

Publisher

Salaam Reads

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

May 30, 2023

ISBN

978-1534462960

Buy This Book

At his new school, quiet Rumi feels small and unwelcome, and a few kids bully him for being different and wearing bright shoes. He finds refuge beneath the old willow tree by the playground and builds his own world of hope and dreams of belonging.

One day, when Rumi is made a target again, one of his classmates bravely steps in to defend him. It’s in that moment of solidarity Rumi’s class finally realizes that under the shade of the willow tree, all are welcome, and they create a space they can all play in—together.

Editor review

1 review

Modeling Positive Behavior in School

August 08, 2023 (Updated: July 10, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

When Rumi moves to a new school, he is sad about the move and keeps to himself. He is somehow different from the other children, who seem willing to befriend him, but spends his time during recess apart from the group. When a Asher makes fun of him, Ella laughs, but Han looks on in unease. Because the children don't really know Rumi, they aren't quite sure how to stick up for him when Asher continues his bullying. When Asher throws a pebble at Rumi and hurts him, the children see the injustice and are finally pushed out of their complacent acceptance of Asher's actions. Han checks on the new boy and invites him to play with him. The other children see that Rumi was drawing beautiful pictures, similar to the ones on his shoes that were an object of ridicule, and the children start to draw with Rumi. The class is getting along better, but Rumi sees that Asher is now setting himself apart. Knowing how this feels, Rumi suggests to his classmates that they go play inside so that Asher doesn't feel excluded.

Good Points

There is an author's note stating that the author's son had a somewhat similar experience, and that she thought a book modeling positive behavior might help children learn how to treat each other better. This is a great idea; I think as adults we frequently forget that this sort of behavior needs to be taught; not all children pick it up naturally.

The real draw here are Pham's illustrations; even though Rumi is shown looking very dejected, with a cloud of drawings lingering around him, there is something about Pham's illustrations that always look joyous, even with dark backgrounds and sad topics. She is also great at drawing characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds, and the chalk-like drawings surrounding Rumi add an extra layer of interest to the pages.

Books about being kind to each other should be included in frequent rotation in every child's list of books, and this one is a great one to add to Barton's The Invisible Boy, McAnulty's A Small Kindness, and Amy Wu and Zhang's Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome.

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer #1 Reviewer 2477 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0(1)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

5.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0(1)

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How to stop a bully

April 13, 2026 (Updated: July 10, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Thank you to Aisha Seed, LeUyen Pham, and Simon and Schuster for a copy of The Together Tree. I appreciate the copy to review.
The Together Tree is about a new boy at school - Rumi. He's unsure if he will be welcomed, and is nervous about all the new kids. Unfortunately, Rumi ends up all alone at recess and is often bullied.
This is a story about bullying and how it can stop.
I loved the storyline as well as the drawings - very well done and I think kids would love this book.