This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
J. Steven Spires is a veteran third grade teacher in Slidell, Louisiana. “The Oak Tree” is the second children’s picture book Spires has published following the success of “Three Little Shrimp” (Inspired Books, 2013). As an avid writer for most of his life, Spires’s love for writing has inspired more than 675 elementary students in the 27 years he has been a teacher. He is a member of the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and resides in his hometown of Slidell with his wife and children.
Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In a simply lovely story about overcoming fear, recovery from hurt and redemption, author J. Steven Spires' The Oak Tree follows the tale of a beloved large oak tree that stands in the front yard of a young family’s home in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tree provides the family with a place to play, as his boughs hold a tire swing, and a place to rest in the shade. The tree loves the family, and stands over them and watches all that they do each day. Until the day that a hurricane blows through, and the family must leave their home and their friend the oak tree behind as they seek safety. Will the oak tree survive the storm and wait for its family to return?
The Oak Tree is a beautifully illustrated and very well-written children’s book that deals with an event that could be very scary in a child’s life. I was awed by the simple but effective storyline and the emotions that were conveyed in such a wonderful way. This book would appeal to any lover of children’s literature, but would be especially appropriate for a child or family that has gone through a traumatic situation, especially one related to weather. This story, that acknowledges the scary situation that the oak tree and its family lived through, but with a beautiful and hopeful ending, would make the perfect jumping off point for families to discuss these situations in an easy and non-threatening way. I am pleased to highly recommend The Oak Tree by J. Steven Spires and illustrated by Jonathan Caron, and hope that this duo is hard at work on their next piece.
