Hope shines through lovely illustrations, the wonders of a pear tree, and a very brave girl.

A girl enjoys playing around the pear tree and enjoying all the exciting things thriving around it. When a storm comes, the girl remains in her bed. The tree stands but isn't its cheery self. But the storm does pass, and the girl goes back outside. She plants a seed and watches a wonderful tree grow until life is vibrant again.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are beautifully done. They allow the joy of nature as well as the changes to come across with simplicity, yet wonderful atmosphere. It's a joy to watch the change through the nature and the hope unfold. Plus, it doesn't forget the artistic touch, which gives the book its personal sense of warmth.

The text is kept simple and usually consists of only one sentence or phrase. So, it's very fitting for the age group and easy to understand on that front. But this book isn't so much about the words as the tale, which flows underneath the surface. It's never directly stated that the girl becomes ill nor is it said which specific problem she battles. This entire ordeal is covered with the storm and the bare tree, while the girl remains in bed inside. When she does go outside with her hair gone, the message is clear. This will need explanation for many young listeners and that opens up the door perfectly for discussions. It definitely offers tons of hope and allows a serious issue to be addressed in a very lovely and caring manner. ( )