"Once there was a tree. It had grown for many years and now it was growing old." But even an old tree stump can be useful to a beetle, ants, bear, titmouse, frog, earwig and a man. Soon a new shade tree grows. To whom does the tree belong? "... to all, because it grows from the earth that is home for all." Exquisite paintings and an elegant design make an unusually beautiful book memorable. (Ages 3-9)

An old stump attracts many living creatures, even man, and when it is gone, a new tree attracts the same creatures, who need it for a variety of reasons.