The Lonely Pine

by Aaron Frisch, Étienne Delessert (Illustrator)

There is a treeline far to the North, a point on Earth at which the harshness of climate and scarcity of sunlight and precipitation prevent trees from growing any closer to the North Pole. Trees became smaller and sparser until, finally, there are no more. The lonely pine is the world s northernmost tree. Through poetic prose and elegant illustrations, readers will travel to an inhospitable but beautiful realm, accompanying this stunted yet resilient tree as it experiences a year s worth of Arctic sights, changes, and hardships. Facing extreme isolation, brutal cold, and threats from both man and animal, will the lonely pine live on?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2011

Reviews

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of animals and the changing seasons, and a nice story too.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 Stars I really really wanted to like this book. The pictures are great, the story is good but I was bored by the end! I have questions. First, why is the calendar 1945? Second, why the calendars...I know it goes through the months but...it was a head scratcher. At first when I looked at the back I thought it was a paper someone had left, with what looks like pencil markings on the calendar...but it was part of the book!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated, poetic meditation on nature. Not sure why the calendar is 1945.

[Joan Galat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written but I am not sure all kids would sit still for it.

[Kiddo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Some lovely language. Also interesting that the pages are organized as monthly calendars.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The poetic verse was okay, but the illustrations were not to my taste. Kind of a "meh" book.

[Bibliomama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book with not quite enough story. Trees should never feel lonely.