Little Tree

Starred review from June 29, 2015
All the saplings around Little Tree eagerly shed their leaves each fall, even if it means having to endure the winter chill with bare branches; there’s no other way they can grow tall and strong, and fulfill their role in the forest community. But Little Tree is having none of it, even when his leaves turn droopy and brown. “What would he do without his leaves?” writes Long (the Otis series), adding, in what becomes the book’s poignant refrain, “Little Tree just hugged his leaves tight.” It’s the kind of parable that could turn preachy and soggy very quickly, but Long makes it work; in fact, his willingness to take his time and even test the audience’s patience with his arboreal hero’s intransigence results in an ending that’s both a big relief and an authentic triumph. Childhood is full of big, difficult transitions; Long’s earnest-eloquent narrative voice and distilled, single-plane drawings, both reminiscent of an allegorical pageant, acknowledge the reality of the struggle while offering the promise of brighter days ahead. Ages 5–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

July 1, 2015
Little Tree loves his leaves so much that he refuses to let them go. In the cool autumn breezes, all the trees' leaves turn beautiful colors and then begin to drop. But Little Tree can't imagine living without his leaves and hugs them tight even when they turn brown and winter arrives. The fox, deer, dove, and the other animals are puzzled by Little Tree's odd behavior. They are kind and sympathetic and try to encourage him, but he can't bring himself to let go. He is not defiant or overtly determined not to grow up, but as the seasons pass, he remains fearful of dropping his leaves. His reluctance messes with his growth cycle and leaves him stunted and brown while all the surrounding trees grow tall and majestic. Little Tree finally realizes that he has been left behind and lets go of the leaves, allowing him to grow and accept change in order to reach his destiny. Long is sparing with the text, keeping it simple and beautifully descriptive. Little Tree is allowed to make his own decisions without any hint of disapproval or judgment. Brilliantly colored illustrations done in acrylic, ink, and pencil stand out on bright white pages, with Little Tree taking the center position in each double-page spread. Tender and gentle and altogether lovely. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-The dramatic changes characteristic of deciduous trees have provided material for authors with personalities as diverse as Janice Udry, Carin Berger, and Shel Silverstein. Long chooses the anthropomorphic route for his simple fable. Little Tree, a young oak, is surrounded by other varieties in the forest. It is a happy life; squirrels frolic and the dove sings "her flutey song" in his branches. When autumn arrives, the sapling does not want to drop his leaves, despite the advice of woodland creatures. He holds onto his brown appendages for many years. It is not until he can no longer feel the sun or hear the birds, that he decides to let go. Long's acrylic, ink, and pencil scenes are presented in pleasing, uncluttered compositions against an abundance of white space; they mirror the straightforward text precisely. Young children will be able to follow the passage of time through the changing colors and sizes of the trees, until the verdant canopy bleeds off the pages during the conclusion. Even though the protagonist was much smaller than his peers during his existential crisis, he ultimately reaches their height. Late bloomers may be relieved at the story's implied message, while others will feel unsatisfied that this departure simply ends at the same destination. VERDICT This gentle story works as a seasonal primer for the very young, but those with more experience may express incredulity at the length of time the tree hangs on and-after all that-the low-key situation motivating his change of heart.-Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2015
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* A grove of saplings grows in the forest, and one little tree in particular loves the long perfect days of summer, when the birds sing and the animals play among his branches. As autumn creeps in, the trees begin to drop their leaves, but Little Tree, worried about what will happen after they fall, holds onto his with all his might. He still has his dry, brown leaves when spring comes and for many seasons afterward. It isn't until he realizes the forest all around him has grown up and left him behind that he understands change is a necessary, if sometimes painful, part of life. Fear of the unknown and losing what is familiar are concepts all children will recognize, and this story addresses those anxieties in a reassuring way young readers can comprehend. The illustrations are beautifully rendered, simple compositions saturated with rich colors set against generous white backgrounds for maximum effect. Complementing the emotional complexity of the story is an abundance of friendly forest dwellers and the gentle narrative tone, which further makes the message go down easy. Understated and inviting, young readers will be entranced by Little Tree's difficult but ultimately rewarding journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)