Tree in the Trail

TREE IN THE TRAIL is a story about a cottonwood sapling that stood along an ancient buffalo trail somewhere in the Great Plains. Holling Clancy Holling writes an enriched narrative that centers on history, which involved early contact between Europeans and Native Americans, and the exchange of goods and resources that occurred between these groups of people. Holling stresses the beauty of the natural landscape and environment of the Great Plains and the Southwest region of North America, and the encounters that the people observed and experienced as a result of several technological advances - the steamboat and the Conestoga Wagon, which allowed increased contact and relations. The story takes place within a span of 300 years. From the arrival of Coronado for the search for gold in 1540 to the establishment of New Mexico, Holling tells the story of a tree that lived over hundred years, but succumbed to age and natural destruction. However, a part of the tree was revived in the form of an ox yoke that two mountain men, Buck Smith and Jed Simpson happened to carve out from a portion of her trunk, and transformed it into a beautiful yoke. The unique aspect of Holling's stories and books are that he provides little side notes in the form of illustrations that are positioned within each different chapter that provide an additional historical interpretation of Indian, French trappers, and cultural life of the people that inhabited and ventured into Taos, Santa Fe, and Kansas territory. History is a major part of the book. Holling illustrated and wrote the story, but also acknowledged his wife, Lucille Webster Holling, as a major contributor to the illustrations and research that was conducted about the trail and the map. He also credits Arthur Woodward of the Los Angeles Museum for the accuracy of the costume and ornament of Spanish Southwest and the Conestoga wagon. TREE IN THE TRAIL will engage the history reader as well as those curious about how Europeans and Native Americans thrived together in an environment and time in American history that was experiencing a transformation. This is a story that is sure to entertain every reader, and take each one back to a time of discovery.

I first read "The Tree in the Trail" about 45 years ago - then shared it with my son years later. It sparked my imagination as a 10 year old girl living in Australia and it did the same for him years later. It does not speak down to children. It is literate and assumes an average 10 year old has imagination and concentration and is able to dream! We went on to "Paddle to the Sea" and he remembers that with great fondness as well. They are both on the list for my 3 year old granddaughter in a few years. We need more books like this one!

This much-loved Children's Classic, written in an era where the phrase "politically correct" was unheard of, tells the simple, exquisite story of a tree, a boy, a special place & the coming of the seasons & centuries.In the beginning of the cottonwood's life, a Kansas Indian boy builds a barricade to protect it from the thirsty herds of buffalo seeking relief in the nearby pond at the edges of the American Great Plains. Generations of tribes of the First People gather at this high place & revere this lonesome tree.Then explorers from across the world pass by with anger in their hearts & the pathway they find becomes the Sante Fe Trail. In time trappers & settlers pass on by leaving their marks, telling their stories.This is the way I love to learn history: the ebb & flow of rich memories, evocative paintings & curious sketches depicting the passage of time & the tools of people on the move. Do check out my full review & other reviews of a host of children's books.

This is a little different review. Fifty-seven years ago at the request of his mother I visited Holling C. Holling at his California ranch. I was eight years old. He asked me to pose for a few sketches he wanted to do. Later that year he sent me the book "Tree in the Trail." Inside the front cover he had written "For Nedd Mockler, who posed for the Indian boy in this book. With best wishes, Holling C. Holling." The inscription is dated "Dec. 1942." I have all of his books and enjoy looking at them still. Lucille Holling, his wife, was a water color artist and helped with many of his projects. (I would like to correspond with the gentleman who wrote the first review. Would you give him my name, phone and email address. Thanks)

I am 58 years old, as a small boy my mother gave me this book (original edition). It was my favorite book of the hundreds available to me (very literate family). Would love to get two of the original editions for my grandsons.. Hate to give up my copy which I still have after 50 yrs....Proabably 5/6 yrs old interests different today than in the mid-1940's but I would still recommend this book as a great imagination stimulas for a small boy.