Zee grows a tree by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

  This sweet picture book follows the growth of a young girl - and her birthday tree, a Douglas fir on her family's Christmas tree farm. Sometimes the tree is a little shorter, or suffers from drought or insects, but Zee is always there to care for it, just as her parents care for her. After an especially challenging year, during which the tree almost dies in a drought and heat wave and Zee turns eight, her loving care keeps the tree going until it slowly begins to recover. That winter, it's just the right size to decorate, and Zee is tall enough to do it by herself, as her parents watch, her mother pregnant with another baby.

Elizabeth Rusch is an excellent nonfiction author and the gentle narrative is accompanied by insets explaining the life cycle and other facts about evergreens. Like other Candlewick informational picture books, there is a brief index and in-depth information about the topic in the back.

Hillenbrand's pastels are the perfect accompaniment to this gentle and satisfying story, and it would make a good choice for a read-aloud or to go along with a science lesson on trees. There are tree farms in my area so this is extra interest to my young patrons.

Verdict: A sweet, simple, and informative story. Use for a neutral holiday story, to learn about evergreens, or for storytimes about growing up and caring for our friends, whether they are humans, pets, or trees.

ISBN: 9780763697549; Published March 2021 by Candlewick; Purchased for the library