Leo's Tree

by Debora Pearson, Nora Hilb (Illustrator)

The gentle tale of a baby boy and the tree planted in honor of his birth. When Leo is born, his father plants a tree—a scratchy, branchy linden tree. Soon Leo is growing hair and the tree is sprouting buds, the first of many delightful changes that boy and tree experience during their early years together. As the seasons change, Leo and his tree continue to grow strong and true. Then, when a baby sister joins the family, her tender new sapling is planted next to Leo’s sturdy tree. Debora Pearson has created a gentle and heartwarming tale. Softly illustrated by Nora Hilb, this is a story for growing young children and their parents to cherish and share for years to come.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published March 6, 2004

About the author

Debora Pearson is the author of several books that have received praise from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. For the past decade, she has worked as a children's librarian with the Toronto Public Library, where she has met many newcomer families who are learning English for the first time. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Reviews

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Bennie Sussman · Rating 5 out of 5]

PJ Library’s done it again. Just in time for Tu BiShvat!

[Sarah Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book, complete with photographs, can be found on my website by clicking here.

Leo's Tree is such a beautiful, heartwarming story! It is truly one of my household's favorites and I think it should be a classic. The prose is simple, which is perfect for a small child. The story is very touching - a family plants a tree for their son, Leo, upon his birth and then the boy and the tree grow up together - and opens the path for discussion about how different families celebrate babies. It also showcases growth and seasons. The illustrations (by Nora Hilb, a wonderful illustrator) are beautiful. Not only are they well-done, they also have details that will make any mother smile, such as the purple elephant lovey that tags along throughout Leo's first years.

I have recommended this book to plenty of people and it has always been well-loved.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is already a family favorite. My 3 month old responds to it every time we read it. It's a wonderful book about growth and a great introduction to changing seasons. The illustrations are fabulous giving you lots of images to point out as you read the story.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has attractive illustrations, and the story is written as a halfway decent poem. It's about a little boy and the tree that is planted when he is born. My daughter enjoyed it.

[Kena Kump · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for younger children K-3rd grade. A baby discovering nature and the word for the first time.