The story begins with a dramatic storm, a tree falling, and a tiny seedling. Slowly, the seedling grows; the seasons change, animals come and go, the landscape shifts, but the tree continues to reach towards the sun. A miniature ecosystem is formed in its crown and vegetation sprouts, reaching every higher. Birds and flying squirrels, salamanders and all manner of insects inhabit the tree. Humans come and go, cutting lumber, building roads, but the tree survives to be protected and studied and become the tallest tree in the forest.
An author's note explains the process of creating and researching the book and additional facts about redwoods explain some of the passages in the book; how these trees are propagated, how long they live, and how they have been affected by history. A selected bibliography, links and locations to learn more, and some simple tips to help support trees are included on the last page.
Swan's layered collages add depth and color to the story, blending animals, vegetation, and more in the dense life of the forest. Feathery green leaves explode towards the sky with tiny creatures hidden in their depths; a fluttering butterfly, blue bird, and tiny owl. Sharp oranges and yellows show the influx of humans and machines against the browns and greens of the forest. The final look at the tree is a gatefold, showing three combined pages of green with birds of prey hidden in its branches.
Verdict: A richly illustrated story of an amazing tree, this is a great addition to STEM storytimes and outdoor investigations. Children will be eager to search for the animals hidden in the leafy art and the poetic text will make a good read-aloud for strong listeners.
ISBN: 9781580897716; Published October 9, 2018 by Charlesbridge; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library
1 comment:
I appreciate your thoughtful review, Jennifer.
Post a Comment