The Tin Forest

Last updated Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Author: Helen Ward
Illustrator: Wayne Anderson
Date of Publication: 2001
ISBN: 0525467874
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Date(s) Used: April 2004

Synopsis: In the middle of a windswept wasteland full of discarded scrap metal lives a sad and lonely old man. In spite of his gloomy surroundings, he dreams every night of a lively forest full of trees, birds, and animals. When he finds a broken light fixture that looks like a flower, his imagination is sparked.

Tips for reading the book: This book emphasizes making the most out of what you have and believing in your dreams.  A picture walk before reading and a discussion afterward will help you make the most of your time. Ask plenty of questions, emphasizing vocabulary regarding the different items in the forest.

Discussion topics:

• What things do we throw away? Where do those things go?
• How much trash do we throw away? How can we reduce that trash?
• This book is great for a picture walk ­ Have the children guess which items came from which type of trash.

Craft ideas:

• Make a mobile; on circles of paper, have the kids draw a “tin forest” with only black and grey crayons on one side of the paper, and use bright colors to draw a real forest on the other. Then attach to the mobile.
• Make a colorful bird like the one in the book out of construction paper.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!