House Held Up By Trees
What’s inside...
From Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Ted Kooser and rising talent Jon Klassen comes a poignant tale of loss, change, and nature's quiet triumph. When the house was new, not a single tree remained on its perfect lawn to give shade from the sun. The children in the house trailed the scent of wild trees to neighboring lots, where thick bushes offered up secret places to play. When the children grew up and moved away, their father, alone in the house, continued his battle against blowing seeds, plucking out sprouting trees. Until one day the father, too, moved away, and as the empty house began its decline, the trees began their approach. At once wistful and exhilarating, this lovely, lyrical story evokes the inexorable passage of time — and the awe-inspiring power of nature to lift us up.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Father
The Daughter
The Son
Discussion points
How do you think the trees were able to lift the house? What does this tell us about nature?
What feelings do you think the house had being left alone, and then being held up by the trees?
Why do you think the author chose trees to be the ones to hold up the house?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone, just like the trees helped the house?
What do you think happens to the house and the trees as time goes on?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about trees and their importance in the environment to build context.
Encourage your child to imagine the scene by asking them to draw the house surrounded by the growing trees both before and after reading.
Relate the story to personal experiences where the family had to adapt to changes or help each other, making the story more relevant and emotionally resonant.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the story, asking your child how they feel during key moments to foster empathy and deeper understanding.
After reading, revisit your child’s earlier drawing and encourage them to add any new elements they learned from the story, reinforcing their comprehension and memory.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: The story depicts a house that survives and is gradually embraced by nature, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of change.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace changes in their lives, understanding that adaptability is key to overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: As the trees grow and uphold the abandoned house, the narrative encourages a profound respect for nature and its enduring strength.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to interact with and protect natural environments, cultivating an appreciation for the world around them.
Example Lesson: The Concept of Home
Explanation: The book explores what makes a house a home, emphasizing that it's not just a physical structure but love and care that define it.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate their own homes and understand the importance of caring for the spaces and people within them.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Change
Explanation: The transformation of the house over time teaches the inevitability and acceptance of change in life.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept and adapt to changes as they grow, viewing them as natural and integral parts of life.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The gradual growth of the trees and their eventual support of the house illustrate the value of patience and allowing time for natural processes.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of waiting patiently for certain outcomes and appreciating the gradual aspects of growth and development.