Tree : A little story about big things

by Danny Parker, Matt Ottley (Illustrator)

A beautiful picture book that tells the story of a sapling growing in the shelter of an older tree, where he is safe and happy. One day a violent storm destroys everything the sapling knows and suddenly he finds himself alone and unprotected. But as the sapling grows, he gradually discovers that every end is a new beginning.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Mama Bearian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing the illustrations need I say more with words moved me almost to tears at the end

[September · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible illustrator

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new tree springs up from the shelter of an old even when a ferocious storm descends. The old tree falls, but the young sapling survives, continuing to grow, and eventually harbours a new tree itself. Emotive adjectives, changing colours, painted backdrops, and extreme perspectives give a human-like quality to the life of trees. This being said, the brevity of the story, as it skims over a large chunk of time, nearly ruins this effect. These trees outlive us by a long time. Humans come and go, and the landscape changes, appropriately stopping when it becomes a peaceful cemetery. Other aspects are also implied visually. For one, the tree is a home to animals that appear throughout. Ultimately, a tree's life allows others to live.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little sprout grows into a tree and faces changes.

If you want a high school class to practice analyzing literature, this may be a good one to test them with. Because one could debate this story isn't just about a tree. You could argue it is about the storms of life that we all face. It could be the story of how secondary growth happens in ecosystems devastated by natural disasters. It leaves a lot open to interpretation, especially with the things included in the illustrations. And of course on the surface level, it makes a good story for kids with beautiful illustrations about a tree growing and how its surroundings change over time.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pared back and well composed - both the writing and the illustrations. It's about trees, but also about life and death and the cycle of generations. Probably a good one for discussing the loss of a parent or grandparent, where the trees can act out the story, standing in for people. But touching and sweet in its own right too.

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A sapling grows in the shelter of an older tree, where he is happy and safe. One day a violent storm destroys everything the sapling knows, and he suddenly finds himself unprotected and alone. But as the sapling grows, he gradually discovers that every end is a new beginning.'

Yup, that blurb sounds like the end of my 2016. Good to know that I'm on the new beginning path now.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, lean, eloquent prose accompanied by Ottley's fine illustrations gives the reader an immense sense of beginnings and endings from every perspective, and all through the anthropomorphic view point of a tree. Divine.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story told in both words and pictures.

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story about tragic endings and new beginnings. Applicable for death or natural disaster.

[Chris Hansford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. This would pair well with the Grandpa Tree by Mike Donahue.

[Mollie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple story. A tree grows up, is alone, and then not. I may not include for storytime.