Picture Book of the Day: Tap the Magic Tree, written and illustrated by Christie Matheson

I have done this story with several groups and they simply love it.  Tell them right from the start that this is a "magic tree" and they are hooked.  And then tell them that it is up to them to help the tree be magical and then they exude enthusiasm.  Matheson goes through the year of the life of an apple tree.  At first it's a "bare brown tree", but she asks the reader to tap it once and turn the page to see, and voila! the tree now has one leaf.  Tap four more times and a turn of the page reveals FIVE leaves.  When in storytime I tell the kids to clap instead of tap and they do love to clap.  The book allows more audience particpation--rubbing the tree leads to buds forming, wiggling fingers makes the buds fall, shaking causes apples to kerplop, and so on.  This simple but vivid illustrations grab the eye, and each turn of the page prompts a "wow" from the crowd.  A truly fun interactive adventure.