Father Like A Tree

With "Father Like A Tree," Matthew S. Field (who is this guy?) has made some remarkable accomplishments in the form of this illustrated children's book. Children love the story, the rhythm, and the extraordinary illustrations. (No kidding. The illustrations are AMAZING.) Parents who read the story to their children or just to themselves will find it difficult not to finish without a tear in their eye. While "Father..." is truly the biography of every loving father and mother, Field achieves through subtle metaphor commentary of the social, economic, and even spiritual aspects of life and parenthood. Told from the perspective of (a father like) a tree, a beautiful bird lands on the branch of a tree and decides to make the tree her home. From the very start, Field conveys exactly what it means to be a father whose "roots reach deep...trunk (is) thick and strong...branches reach lovingly out..." At the same time, Field comments on, and suggests the beauty and necessity of social diversity, "I live in a forest with trees of every shape, color, and size." He also ambiguously refers to - get this - a healthy, capitalistic economy, "I breath in what the animals in the forest breath out. I breath out what the animals in the forest breath in." Obviously, these are references that the average 4- to 8-year old will not grasp, but that is the uniqueness of "Father..." The story of three baby birds hatching, learning to fly, and growing up (much too quickly) under the watchful, supportive, and loving eye of their mother, the beautiful bird is irresistable to the elementary school-age audience. The recurring themes of the baby birds holding their mouths "wide open" for food and both the beautiful bird and young birds pecking at the ground, "Peck. Peck. Peck. Peck. Peck...," interests the child reader/listener in a meaningful way. Finally, (without giving up the amazing ending which often results in the question from a little voice, "Mommy or Daddy, why are you crying?), Field provides the reader with an unobtrusive picture - and a picture is exactly what it is - of heaven, or at least the author's conception of heaven. It's rare although not completely without precedent that a children's book engages adult and children as much as "Father..." does. It is equally rare that the complementary artwork and quality of the book itself equal the depth and breadth of the words. Quite an achievement and a book that should be on every child's bookshelf...and their parents' bookshelf, too!

A wonderful book about the inner dynamics of a family and how time passes by. The story told through the perspective of tree watching a mother bird and her young is simple enough for all who read it to understand; In Father Like a Tree family matters. Mathew Fields has brought a basic story of parental love and parenting to life in a unique way that is easy to see with characters that are identifiable by all ages. My children and I love reading this story and I would recommend it to anyone who has someone important in their life to share it with.

My 2nd grade daughter told me that she didn't want to graduate and move up to 3rd grade. When I asked why, she said it was because her 2nd grade classroom had a copy of the book "Father Like a Tree." Needless to say, we have now bought her her own copy and she can move on with a light heart. A lovely book about the simple strength a father provides for his family.

I had the privilege of interviewing Matthew Field on the radio. He is a wonderful person and his book is amazing. It is a simple story of parental love that is beautifully illustrated. If you have young children, please buy this book and share it often with them!

My children have over 50 books on their bookshelves but everynight they pull FATHER LIKE A TREE out and beg me to read it. I don't blame them, it's a beautiful story and the illustrations are magnificant. I can' recommend this book enough. BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, probably the best children's book I have ever seen.