Leslie Barnard Booth

The wonder of the cycle of life comes across in a heart-warming and touching way.

While beginning with the lovely illustration of a tree, which is decaying and about to fall, the tale immediately switches to when the seed of that tree first found root. Page by page, the tree grows and matures, but life isn't as calm and monotone as might first appear. Yet, every hurdle opens the door to more life and change...even at the very end.

With a poetic atmosphere, this read illustrates the path a tree takes from the first seed to the last, rotting moments on the ground. While this might seem like a straight forward process, the author and illustrator go beyond the general stages of growth and, instead, visit the various challenges and situations a tree comes up against. Changing weather, fires, and even human activities create changes, which affect the surrounding environment and the tree's ability to thrive. This is balanced out with the wonder of life as the tree meets each moment and continues to mature. Each stage offers new surprises, making this a positive read through-and-through.

The text is kept short and hits the intended audience level nicely. The short phrases accompany the beautiful illustrations and bring an almost poetic atmosphere, while stating only enough to keep the events clear. It creates a calming read-aloud and balances with the illustrations, allowing them to give the right impact with each scene.

The continuous cycle of life comes across nicely and leaves with a sense of respect and hope. This read works not only as a lovely read for those quieter moments but can be used in conjunction with a fitting theme in a group or classroom setting. I received a DRC and left the book with a satisfied sigh.… (altro)