This book drew me to it for my love of trees grows
stronger each time my eyes fall upon one of any kind. I always seem to find
something new to admire about them.
This exactly is what happens as I go through the
seasons and trees’ changes in this stunning book, superbly illustrated by
Charlotte Voake.
Beautifully designed, there are two levels to the
text. The large text tells the story in first person narrative, and describes
why the girl character loves trees.
Alliteration adds rhythm and sound whether
read aloud or not. The smaller text is factual information which increases with
the size of the trees.
As the seasons change, the text extends to include the
animals that nest in the trees, the work of the bees and the change in the
foliage, bark and roots.
How trees grow, what they draw on in each season to
survive and how they appear - losing or retaining their leaves which change
colour with time, is touched upon.
Carefully worded to maximise the impact of the
text, this gorgeous production could be viewed as a metaphor for life and the
changes we inevitably undergo.
The book begins and ends with the same striking end
pages that wrap the contents in green leaves and branches, leaving the reader
filled with wonder at the magnificence of trees. Children will surely look with
added interest at every tree they see after this awakening to their beauty,
strength and resilience.
There is a double spread at the end which includes
the index, on all kinds of things one can do connected to trees, and the games
that can be played with fallen leaves, branches, and whatever else comes from a
tree.
This is one not to be missed!
Title:
The Things That I Love About Trees
Author:
Chris Butterworth
Illustrator:
Charlotte Voake
Publisher:
Walker Books, $24.99
Publication
Date: April 2018
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781406349405
For
ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
