Leo's Tree

The gentle tale of a baby boy and the tree planted in honor of his birth -- the changes in the boy mirror the tree, and vice versa. Illustrated throughout.

Eleanor Heldrich - Children's Literature

This is a lovely early childhood book, perhaps even a first book for a young reader/listener. It tells, in appealing pictures and charming rhyme, of a tree planted when the main character is small, and of the boy and the scratchy, branchy linden tree growing up together though the seasons and the years. " Bright warm sun/ Smell of mud/ Leo grows hair/ Tree sprouts buds." And then, "Seasons come/ Seasons go/ Slowly, slowly/ Small things grow." It is a small hardback book, 8" by 8", just right for little hands. Once the book has been read, a child will enjoy leafing through the book, remembering the story and watching how much growing things are alike. With its strong binding and sturdy paper, Leo's Tree will stand up well to wear. 2004, Annick Press, Ages 1 to 4.

Debora Pearson is the author of more than a dozen children's books, including all the titles in the Mighty Wheels series. She is also co-author of all three books in Annick Press' Travel Adventure series, which earned places on VOYA's Nonfiction Honor list and in the prestigious international White Raven Collection.

Nora Hilb is the award-winning illustrator of dozens of children's books in her native Argentina and around the world. She previously worked with Debora Pearson on Animachines.