In this expressive ASL retelling of Shel Silverstein’s classic, classifiers and rich facial expressions bring the boy-and-tree friendship to life. Children see signs for tree parts, seasons, and emotions while exploring big ideas: sharing, gratitude, and caring for nature.

Try it together

1. Gratitude Leaves – Trace a leaf shape, write or sign one thing you’re thankful for, and tape it to a “family tree” poster.

2. Feelings Timeline – Pause after each life stage and ask, “How does the tree feel now? How does the boy feel?”, great for emotional vocabulary.

3. Nature Walk Hug – Visit a nearby tree, learn its sign, and measure its trunk with string or arm spans, linking Nature Smart and Body Smart learning.