The Unexpected Tu Bishvat Story on Our Bookshelf
Some books come home, get read once, and politely return to the shelf.
And then there are the books that fully move in.
The King of the Swamp written by Catherine Emmett and illustrated by Ben Mantle, has been living at our house rent-free for the past year. Certain weeks, we read it every single night. Not because anyone asked, but because it just kept getting chosen again. You know the ones. The rhythm hits, the story is a perfect mix of fun and meaning, and somehow no one gets tired of it (even the adults).
We are very big fans over here.
So big, in fact, that I once took a course with Catherine Emmett all about rhyming meter. If you’ve ever wondered why her stories feel so good to read out loud, that is not an accident. The craft is incredibly intentional, and kids feel that musicality right away, even if they cannot explain why they want to hear the same book again tomorrow night.
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A Swamp Story With a Big Tu B’Shevat Heart 🌱
At first glance, The King of the Swamp is not a Tu B’Shevat book. There are no fruit trees to count and no obvious “birthday of the trees” moment. It is muddy. It is splashy. It is absolutely slug-infested. It is very much a swamp.
And yet.
The whole story is about loving a place exactly as it is. About noticing what makes it special. About protecting it when change threatens to smooth it out or replace it altogether.
That is Tu B’Shevat.
Tu B’Shevat is often called the birthday of the trees, but at its core, it is about relationship. Our relationship to the land and our responsibility to care for the world we live in. McDarkly has just ten days to prove his swamp’s worth, and in the process, the story delivers brilliant rhyming meter, humor, gorgeous illustrations, and a deeply kid-friendly message about conservation. 10/10 recommend!
More Books to Read Together This Tu B’Shevat 📚
If The King of the Swamp is on heavy rotation in your house, you are in good company. But if not, here are two other lovely options that connect beautifully to Tu B’Shevat.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
A classic for a reason. The Lorax famously “speaks for the trees,” offering kids a clear and memorable message about caring for the world and thinking about the impact of our choices.
Sadie’s Snowy Tu B’Shevat, written by Jamie Korngold and illustrated by Julie Fortenberry, is this month’s PJ Library book for 4-year-olds. The story follows Sadie, who is eager to plant a tree for Tu Bishvat, only to discover that winter has other plans. The ground is frozen, the trees are bare, and planting will have to wait. Rather than stopping there, the book explains why Tu Bishvat is celebrated at this time of year and invites children to think about the holiday in a different way.
PJ Library also offers a wonderful downloadable reading guide with a parsley planting activity, encouraging families to plant something now that can later be used on their Passover seder plate. It is a sweet and meaningful alternative to traditional tree planting and a beautiful way to help children understand patience, seasons, and the connection between Jewish holidays throughout the year.
Each of these stories approaches Tu B’Shevat a little differently, but all invite children to notice, care, and connect.
