Book Reviews

Reviewed: Nov 30, 2005

The Oak Tree That Talk: Spring by Minnie Dix
Minnie Dix, August 1999
24 Pages, Hardcover, $14.95
ISBN: 0944514235
Genre: Children's Fiction

RAW Rating: 5.0 (out of 5)

Spring Season

THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Spring by Minnie Dix is a delightful children’s book that introduces the reader to the beginning of spring with Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree.

The season begins and Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree are ready to shed their winter clothes and exchange them for spring clothes. There is so much to do to get ready for the baby leaves that will join them as the spring season begins. The gardens are prepared and the rain showers begin to help the vegetables grow.  Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree enjoy the preparation to bring in the spring season, which also brings an excited smile to the reader and listener.

THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Spring is colorfully illustrated with a variety of pictures moving the story along as Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree talk to each other about what takes place when the spring season begins.  It is a great teaching tool for children ages 4 to 8. The words are in an easy to read font style that gives any young reader a great book to hold and enjoy.

Ms. Dix has again done a wonderful job in preparing and giving children the introduction to the four seasons. She’s a great storyteller who knows how to speak with a humble heart in giving young readers something to learn and share with others. A wonderful book that is a must have for a child’s home library.

Reviewed by Kalaani of RAWSISTAZ.com

Reviewed: Oct 31, 2005

The Oak Trees That Talk: Summer By Minnie Dix

Illustrated by Derrick Boyd
Williams Associates, December 2001
32 Pages, Hardcover, $14.95
ISBN: 0944514626
Genre: Children's Fiction

RAW Rating: 5.0 (out of 5)

Hello Summer!

THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Summer is a bubbly account of the Oak Tree family as they enter into the summer season, dress more coolly, and spend lots of time with each other. Even though the little leaves are out of school, the importance of education is still strongly impressed upon them by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oak. After everyone completes their chores and the summer school work their parents assign, the family celebrates together with a special treat!

Author Minnie Dix, together with illustrator Derrick Boyd, create quite an educational journey into summer. THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Summer teaches great values, i.e. the importance of education, even through the summer, good hygiene, healthy eating, and spending quality time with family. Dix and Boyd repeatedly weave into the story excellent educational tools: calendar in the beginning depicting which months belong in Summer, follow-up by talking about what the little leaves are wearing, follow-up with weather comments and activities that only happen in summer.

As an educator, mainly preschool, I am pleased to say that there are many, many glorious opportunities to hold discussions with young readers based on the contents of this story.  Having children participate in the reading of the book enhances learning, making the story come alive for them. Dix provides a multitude of opportunities for that: ABC’s, counting, simple math, mentioning of other popular children’s stories. All in all, this lively depiction of the Oak family will make a good addition to any young readers’ library.

Reviewed by Natasha T of RAWSISTAZ.com

Reviewed: Oct 31, 2005

The Oak Trees That Talk: Fall By Minnie Dix

Illustrated by Derrick Boyd
Cecil Williams Publishing, 2005
32 Pages, Hardcover, $14.95
ISBN: 0972596518
Genre: Children's Fiction

RAW Rating: 4.0 (out of 5)

Welcome to Fall

THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Fall is a lively account of the Oak Tree family as they enter into the fall season and prepare for all that entails for them. Aside from heading back to school, Mr. and Mrs. Oak prepare for the time when their little leaves (children) leave them for a few months.  When one of the little leaves is accused of having a boyfriend, the family comes together to find the truth and support each other.

Author Minnie Dix, together with illustrator Derrick Boyd, create quite an educational journey into autumn. THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: Fall teaches great values, i.e. sharing, following directions and being orderly (getting off the bus), the importance of reading, honesty, getting a good education, eating properly, and getting plenty of rest. The book has excellent, repetitive educational value: calendar in the beginning depicting which months belong in fall, follow-up by talking about what the little leaves were wearing, and follow-up with weather notations and activities that only happen in fall. When the little leaves are at school, Dix provides many opportunities for discussions with young readers by incorporating the titles of other popular children's books. Also, I loved the introduction and place for the young reader to write their name in the beginning of the book and the quiz in the back.

My only vices are that some vocabulary and parts of the story seem a little advanced for this age group; for example, the dialogue between Mr. and Mrs. Oak after the children leave for school might not hold the interest of a four year old. Also, sometimes the life lessons presented seem to be pushy and a little over the top. However, all in all, this spirited depiction of the Oak family will make a good addition to any young readers’ library.

Reviewed by Natasha T of RAWSISTAZ.com

The Oak Trees That Talk: Winter By Minnie Dix

Illustrated by Derrick Boyd
Cecil Williams Publishing, 2005
30 Pages, Hardcover, $14.95
ISBN: 0944514618
Genre: Children's Fiction

RAW Rating: 5.0 (out of 5)

Wintertime

Now its time to learn about winter with Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree. Minnie Dix has again brought to our young readers another addition of THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: WINTER with wonderful illustrations by Derrick Boyd.

Now that fall is ending and winter is approaching, Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree must prepare for winter. They must change their clothing to get ready for the cold weather. Since fall is ending, all the leaves are gone until spring comes and this, of course, makes Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree very happy. They will get to see their babies, the leaves, again very soon. The beautiful illustrations definitely enhance the story and give the young reader a great insight as to learning about the months in which each of the seasons fall.

This is a book that you cant help but to enjoy and want to share with children ages three to eight. THE OAK TREES THAT TALK: WINTER by Minnie Dix is another wonderful book in the series of Mr. & Mrs. Oak Tree, which is a must to be added to your children's library.

Reviewed by Kalaani of RAWSISTAZ.com