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The Very Oldest Pear Tree

August 25, 2020 By Claire Annette Noland 4 Comments

In these days of quarantine, the best way to travel is through books. While I read, I make a list of places to go when it is safe to travel again. I am sharing a book today that has definitely piqued my curiosity and I’m already planning a future trip to Massachusetts.

 

THE VERY OLDEST PEAR TREE

By Nancy I. Sanders (author) and Yas Imamura (illustrator)
Albert Whitman & Company (2020)
Picture book for ages (and history-loving adults)
Setting: Massachusetts
Themes: Trees, American History, Arbor Day, Agriculture

The story begins…

“Wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean tossed the wooden boat as it sailed west. Crisp sea breezes blew the crew working at the rigging, and shivered the leaves of a little pear tree onboard.”

This is the amazing true story of the first pear tree planted in America that has become a part of history. This tree crossed the ocean with a group of saplings in 1630. The Governor of Salem, John Endecott, planted it in front of his farm home and carefully tended it.

This tree, known as the Endicott pear, grew and produced bushels of fruit. But then the real story begins. The tree survived fire and continued to grow as the surrounding landscape changed. It was still producing fruit in 1775 when the Revolutionary War began. The tree continued to thrive through the Industrial Revolution and inspired poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the holiday of Arbor Day. It survived fierce storms and urbanization but nearly succumbed when vandals hacked away the limbs. Miraculously, the tree sprouted again and still stands after nearly 400 years!

 

 

Why you need to add THE VERY OLDEST PEAR TREE to your book shelves:

  1. This is a story which is so fantastic that it almost doesn’t seem possible. Author Nancy I. Sanders conducted extensive research using original documents and interviews to create a fascinating book.
  2. The beautiful art has a vintage feel and with bright colors flowing across the pages. I especially like the way illustrator Yas Imamura depicted the different time periods through the clothing and architecture of each era.
  3. There are so many ways it can be used in the classroom. The history of the tree is a marvelous way to teach an overview of the growth of the U.S. from its Puritan times to today. In addition, science is woven into the text as the growth and regrowth of the tree is explained.
  4. It provides a great springboard for discussion. Why would vandals want to destroy an old and beloved tree?  What stories could this tree tell? How could a tree live for so long?
  5. THE VERY OLDEST PEAR TREE is a story of hope and survival which now, more than ever, we all need.

Here is a postcard to readers of THE VERY OLDEST PEAR TREE from author Nancy I. Sanders:

 

BONUS: Visit Nancy I. Sanders educator’s guide for information about ordering a clone of the Endicott Pear so that you can grow your very own tree!

Here’s a kid-friendly pear snack:

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Book Travel, Bookish Field Trips, picture books Tagged With: Endicott Pear Tree, Nancy I. Sanders author, pear crafts, Trees in history, Turkey Pear Snack, Yas Imamura illustrator

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy I. Sanders says

    August 25, 2020 at 5:17 am

    Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful review!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      August 28, 2020 at 12:38 am

      I learned so much from your book!

      Reply
  2. Tina Cho says

    August 26, 2020 at 2:23 am

    Great review of Nancy’s new book! Love the postcard.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      August 28, 2020 at 12:38 am

      I love the way that Nancy makes history so much fun!

      Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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clairesfieldtriplife

I continue to read Amanda Gorman's Inauguration Da I continue to read Amanda Gorman's Inauguration Day poem "The Hill We Climb."
Every line is just so beautiful. I am inspired and hopeful.
@amandascgorman 
#thursdaythoughts 
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I have started the @21daydiscoveryourwhy journal c I have started the @21daydiscoveryourwhy journal challenge through the generosity of Oahn Jordan of @tinytriumphco 
Today's journal prompt was Where were you a year ago?
Thanks to my phone camera, I could easily take a look. And there were the faces of Christina, Thomas and Evelyn on January 18, 2020 as I was leaving Nicaragua. Little did I know that there would be a pandemic and the flights were stopped. Somehow, things fell into place and I was able to return with Roxanne on January 18, 2021. We recreated the original photo (on the right). I'm so excited about what’s ahead! You can still sign up - look at the bio in @tinytriumphco or @21daydiscoveryourwhy
It has been amazing watching to process of MIMIC M It has been amazing watching to process of MIMIC MAKERS go from idea to picture book! I can’t wait to hold it in my hands. Posted @withregram • @knordynordy COVER REVEAL

After raising two boys and teaching for over twenty years in a public school, I’ve witnessed the natural wonder that children have about the living world. Their voracious curiosity to understand the mysteries of our planet  is in everything they do!  Does it float? Does it fly? Does bend or break?  Children are curiosity in motion! I’ve come to believe this wonder about the world is the first step on the pathway to living sustainably on our beautiful planet. How ? By being curious and learning from the living world. 

Well...innate curiosity is something I wanted to explore. So...
I asked each inventor in my book what sparked their curiosity about nature? Well...after years of research, lots of interviews, and loads of classroom projects, MIMIC MAKERS was born. This picture book is a look at ten inventors from around the world, who began asking questions and investigating nature to create amazing biomimicry inventions that help us all. I hope it inspires a new generation of mimic makers. 

My thanks to my incredible editor, Alyssa Mito Pusey and the entire staff at Charlesbridge. Huge thanks to Paul Boston for your superb illustrations. Many thanks to Gretchen Hooker and Sherry Ritter of the Biomimicry Institute. 

#biomimicryinstitute #biomimicry #biodesign #stemreads #readingfunin21 #nonfictionforkids #childrensbooks #childrensbookauthor #teachersofinstagram #librariansofinstagram
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Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He Mr. Ernie loves to put his nose in a good book. He's currently reading the fantastic LAYLA and the BOTS: HAPPY PAWS written by Vicky Fang and illustrated by Christine Nishiyama. 
Layla is a rockstar and inventor (how cool is that?) who has three bots who help her solve problems in their town using technology.
This is a perfect chapter book for budding makers who love STEAM and fun! Mr. Ernie loves the roller coaster they design for dogs!

To read more about Happy Paws and the second book in this new series,  LAYLA and the BOTS: BUILT FOR SPEED visit my blog, A Field Trip Life. (link in bio)

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