June 20, 2022
Several generations grow up—and out—in this philosophically generous reboot of The Giving Tree. In the story’s first spread, a boy and his grandmother appear as tiny figures crossing an empty field, portrayed from afar by Sanna (Move, Mr Mountain!) in an image that resonates with themes of manifold maturation that’s better perceived from a distance. In atmospheric snapshots of successive adult-
child relationships across generations, the creators trace legacies of love: a grandmother gives her grandson both acorns (“tiny and shy, with wild and woolly caps”) and “the gift of patience,” and her counsel later helps the boy endure her death. The oak tree they plant grows along with him, and when he has a child of his own, they plant another. “Love,” he tells her, “even when given to the smallest of things, can... grow bigger than she could ever imagine.” A third generation carries the planting further as the field turns into a well-loved forest. Long horizons and magnificent trees in saturated shades give depth to flat, crisp-edged figures of various skin tones, while Campbell’s (Something Good) language exemplifies deep trust and perfect safety—and the importance of cultivating care both interpersonally and with the natural world. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House.
August 1, 2022
PreS-Gr 1-Depicting a loving family connection spanning generations, this story opens with a boy and his grandmother, who share a close bond, expressing their deep affection for one other in hugs, laughter, patience, and pancakes. They plant an acorn together and watch it grow into a sapling. As the years go by, the grandmother dies, and eventually the boy grows up to become a father, sharing the loving experiences and caring for the oak tree with his daughter, who in turn passes the wisdom "About how things grow, / like trees, / and people, / and kindness" to her son, and so on until there is an oak forest where "once there was a wide-open field." Sanna's striking digital illustrations in a bold graphic style alternate between spreads and vignettes, cleverly conveying the passage of time with changes in color palette and framing, depicting a cast of diverse people of many skin colors and hair colors. These lovely, luscious images complement the lyricism of Campbell's peaceful text with its repeated refrains of watering and weeding, watching, and wondering that inform the passing of the years and generations. VERDICT Perhaps idealized, this is a lovely and gentle musing about familial continuity, community support, and the importance of perseverance and kindness.-Yelena Voysey
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from June 1, 2022
The old saying that the important things in life aren't things gets the picture-book treatment. There's a lot packed into the spare text, which spans decades of time to share how first a grandmother and grandson, then the grandson grown up with a daughter of his own, and finally that daughter with her son share their love. They value the intangible gifts they give and receive in relationship with each other--patience, hugs, stories, and so on. Sanna's art depicts characters with a range of skin colors and hair textures. The act of planting trees and watching them grow on the land where the family lives helps convey the passage of time while also serving as metaphor for the family's history and how their love for one another sustains them across generations. Moments of loss also arise, as do connections with community beyond the small family units. Throughout, Sanna's expressive art employs a warm palette and a soft visual texture befitting the tenderness of the text, which often evokes The Giving Tree ("And they were happy") but with a far more community-minded message. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A book to give and to share with loved ones. (Picture book. 3-8)
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