Feature Friday is a new series I’ll be running on Fridays. I have so many great books to tell you about, and they are piling up in my reading room. Unfortunately, there is not enough time in my day to share them all. I’m starting a new feature on my social media channels where I’ll share a quick video review of a few books, including children’s, middle-grade, young adult, or adult fiction and nonfiction.
Clicking the photo of the books or items will take you to its Amazon listing. I may receive a small commission if you purchase through any of my links. Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
THE TREE AND THE RIVER
By: Aaron Becker
Published: March 14, 2023
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Wordless Fiction
On a recent trip, I came across a huge tree that was easily over 100 years old. When I stared in wonder at that tree, I thought of all the storms it survived, all the kids who played under it, all the animals that made the tree their home, and all the changes this tree saw in the space around it. At some point, I’m sure it was in the middle of nowhere, but now it was in a city park surrounded by bushes, sidewalks, and benches.
THE TREE AND THE RIVER chronicles, in a wordless format, the changes of civilization surrounding a tree. There isn’t a single word in this book, yet children will quickly understand the changes happening around the tree. From the first house being built near the tree to children swinging from it and splashing into the river, the tree and the river seem to be the focal point. Soon, there were multiple houses, and eventually, a battle raged from one side of the river to the other.
Finally, the tree is barely visible as an entire, bustling city engulfs the tree. Since it can no longer get adequate sun, and much pollution surrounds it, the tree starts to suffer. At the end though, one small acorn drops from a nearly expired tree, and we know that the cycle will begin again.
A lesson on the environment and caring for our planet is the hidden message here, but the illustrations are quite profound and will encourage lots of conversations with your kids. Let your child look at the pages and see what they notice first before you point out some of the hidden and less obvious highlights in the illustrations.
Aaron Becker is the best-selling author of the award-winning Journey trilogy, along with several other books for children young and old. His love of travel led him to the city of Granada, Spain, where a rich history of layered civilizations inspired him to write The Tree and the River. To prepare for the story’s illustrations, he first constructed a scale model of the book’s rolling landscape, which he then slowly transformed with clay and wood over many months. When he’s not home with his wife and two daughters, Aaron Becker can be found creating something new in his studio in western Massachusetts. Check out his website, HERE.
To purchase a copy of THE TREE AND THE RIVER, click HERE.
Take this waterproof, oversized blanket on your next picnic, playdate, or beach visit!
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Aaron Becker, Book Review, Children's books, environment, Feature Friday, trees, wordless