Description
Text by Angela Henderson
Illustrations by Rachael Koppendrayer
Isaac loves the sugar maple in his yard, and he can’t help but feel bad for it when its branches are winter-bare. He decides to give it a gift…and is surprised when the tree returns the favor in the new morning snow, presenting him with balls of…ice cream!
But how long can this magic last with spring on the horizon?
A magical exploration through the colors of the rainbow, the days of the week, and some of our favorite fruits that is sure to delight.
mouttet.menagerie –
Angela Henderson has written a cute story. Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree is about a young boy who loves the maple tree that grows in his yard. Once the leaves have fallen, the boy visits the tree and brings it treats (fruit). Each day when he returns, the treat has been turned into ice cream. I can see young children loving this story and wanting to try getting a tree in their yard to turn fruit into ice cream.
The illustrations by Rachael Koppendrayer complement the text well, giving non-readers visuals for the story. The text is simple – I can see non-readers being able to “read” the book on their own just using the illustrations after having the book read to them a couple of times. The book could also be used to teach the colors of the rainbow, as the colors are distinct and not blended together.
Area of Potential Concern – some audiences may have an issue with the magic of the tree turning fruit to ice cream. If magic is a topic you avoid, you may want to take that into consideration before purchasing the book.
I think the youngest students at my K-12 Christian school would enjoy this book.
I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary copy of Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree.
Deana –
Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree is a delightful story about caring, friendship and a boy with a big heart. I enjoyed reading the adventure Isaac had with his magical tree. Everyday was a new treat for him by his new friend. His excitement is contagious and you can’t help but smile as you read the story. The illustrations are vivid and enhance the story. The story is perfect for younger children and will have them dreaming of ice cream. I love the message in the story to never give up and always look for your rainbow of happiness.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The Review is my own opinion
calamity_manda –
My kids and I love this book! It is such a fun story about a young boy who figures out that his tree can make ice cream on it’s own, which livens up the winter and makes him want the cold weather to last! This is such a fun, imaginative story for young readers. My kids enjoyed this story and wish that they had a tree just like it. We enjoy making snow ice cream when there is new snow on the ground, so this book took our Winter fun to the next level, imagination wise!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.
Debbie –
“Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree” by Angela Henderson is a fun story about a tree and how a boy shares his treats with it and the tree in turn gives him icecream. I really feel that all children would really enjoy hearing this story over and over again. I am sure that most children would enjoy looking at the pictures and telling the story to the adults in their lives.
This book would make great birthday present for children and if you are like me and like to give books as babies showers gifts, I would recommend this book of course, it would be awhile before the child could really read them but I like to give gifts that can be used later and something that others doesn’t give and gifts that keeps on giving and books definitely keep on giving.
I was given a complimentary copy of by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
candideweekes –
Great series of books for kids all ages !
My two boys (8 and 10) really enjoyed the books from this series (Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree, Isaac and Izzy’s Tree House and Isaac and Izzy’s Magical Maples).
The drawings are amazing and the story is touching and funny and my kids could relate to the characters.
After we read the first one with them, the next night, they asked for the second one, and then the third one 😉
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
bethany.aich –
Unsurprisingly, kids love this book. It is colorful and fun with all of the ice cream illustrations. It also has the benefit of introducing days of the weeks, colors, and fruits.
On the negative side, I as an adult got a bit confused about how it was “magic” and got repeatedly confused by the word “friend” throughout. Since the kids love it, that outweighs the negatives, in this case. I guess what I am saying is that the overall storyline is great, but looking at it closely I feel pretty “meh” about it. It is saved by the wonderful illustrations and it is such a fun book to peruse with kiddos.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
blessednbookish –
I read this book with my two boys, ages 5 and 8. They really engaged with the story and giggled at all the surprises Isaac found in his magical tree. I enjoyed how imaginative the story was and how it encouraged my kiddos to use their imaginations, too, about what might come next. Overall, this was a great bedtime read for our family.
I was given this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
bloomingwithbooks –
Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree
Written by Angela Henderson
Illustrated by Rachael Koppendrayer
What happens to sugar maples when they lose all their leaves for winter? Are they lonely, being all alone with bare branches? These are the questions that trouble Isaac about the beloved sugar maple in his yard. Determined to keep his maple from being lonely, Isaac promises to visit with it daily. At the end of his visit, Isaac leaves a gift, a part of his snack. The next day, a magical gift waits for Isaac.
This is a fun, imaginative story that will delight young readers. The illustrations, in my opinion, would be Isaac’s illustrative journalling of the time he spends with his sugar maple, which seemingly has magical abilities. This is a story of winter, the hope of spring, and friendship. For those who like having concepts taught in their books, this book offers colors, days, and seasons.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Connie –
What can be better than having ice cream every day? What if the ice cream is found on trees and there’s a different flavor to try each day? This is the delightful story that’s found in Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree. Isaac can go to this special tree and choose a different flavor each day of the week! He enjoys this all winter but changes occur when Spring arrives and the temperatures begin to warm. The ice cream begins to melt and then, a rainbow appears. Isaac realizes that the melted colors have now created a rainbow and he is reminded that ‘Even when the magic seems gone, always remember to look for the rainbow!
Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree is a wonderful book for children! It has easy-to-read text and colorful illustrations, but I especially like that children don’t realize that they’re learning as they read. Colors, fruits, and the days of the week are a part of this fun story, imagination is encouraged, and so is positivity. And, if they choose to do so, it’s also a perfect opportunity for parents to discuss the spiritual meaning of the rainbow!
I received a copy of this book from WhiteSpark Publishing. There was no obligation for a positive review.