One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree

"One day in the leaves of the eucalyptus tree hung a scare in the air/where no eye could see.”

With its striking cast of forest creatures, One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree is Daniel Bernstrom’s amusing and original tale of a plucky little boy who is gobbled up by a giant snake. Consuming his victims at an alarming rate, this snake doesn’t realize that his captives are planning their escape. In the spirit of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback, the reader sees a cutaway of the snake’s belly and can maybe even guess how the tale ends! Classic and contemporary, timeless and fresh, One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree has a syncopated and rhythmically delightful text perfect for reading aloud.

★ “Bernstrom’s spritely language rhythmically sings an exciting, laugh-filled, cumulative story. Bold, large print highlights the events as the snake slides, wiggles, and twists while the animals crinkle, munch, and buzz. Wenzel’s wildly imaginative, brightly hued digital illustrations are a wonderfully goofy complement to the action . . . — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ “Debut author Bernstrom draw(s) in readers with lilting refrains and exuberant wordplay. Wenzel knows how to mix his media: there’s a luxuriously whiskered cat, a sloth with a sweaterlike coating of moss, “an ape eating grapes,/ lounging like a queen,” and a very big bear.’ — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

★ “Onomatopoeia and action words abound, as does the rhythm and repetition, making this cumulative tale skip along. The rainbow eucalyptus tree, its leaves, and the fanciful mix of critters are depicted in marvelously colorful digital illustrations.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Children will enjoy the rhythms of the musical text and eagerly anticipate each new meal, reveling in the inevitable outcome. VERDICT Pair this title with any version of “There Was an Old Lady” for a satisfying storytime.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools.” — School Library Journal

“Love the book. . . . A hungry snake. A beautiful brown boy. What more can a young reader ask for?” — National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson

“What fun Daniel Bernstrom has with words! Living as we do in a society where the emphasis is on television, film, and videos, this book shows children how delightful language can be. The wonderful and colorful illustrations add to the playful joy of this book.” — Newbery Honor winner Julius Lester