Overview
The tale of a boy and tree who grow up together.
When Leo is born, his father plants a tree -- a scratchy, branchy linden tree. Soon Leo is growing hair and the tree is sprouting buds, the first of many delightful changes that boy and tree experience during their early years together. As the seasons change, Leo and his tree continue to grow strong and true.
Then one day Leo and his parents welcome baby Laleh to the family. And what better way to celebrate this special event than with the planting of a tender new sapling -- right next to Leo's now tall and sturdy tree.
Pearson has created a gentle and heartwarming tale of a boy, his tree and the growth they share. Softly illustrated by Nora Hilb, this is a story for growing young children and their parents to share and cherish for years to come.
Synopsis
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.
Editorials
Resource Links
The poetic text is gentle and charming... the illustrations are delightful... the perfect book to introduce the seasons to very young children.— Isobel Lang
Booklist
Rhyming and near-rhyming phrases are studded with sensory words that help to bring Leo's world to life. Hilb uses clean lines and soft-toned watercolor washes to create a series of pleasing illustrations... Short and satisfying to read aloud, this will have wide appeal.— Carolyn Phelan
Canadian Materials
An uplifting family tale... Rhythmic language, warm watercolours and cyclical storyline combine to make this book a success... Highly Recommended.— Lisa Sykes
Resource Links -
The poetic text is gentle and charming... the illustrations are delightful... the perfect book to introduce the seasons to very young children.Booklist -
Rhyming and near-rhyming phrases are studded with sensory words that help to bring Leo's world to life. Hilb uses clean lines and soft-toned watercolor washes to create a series of pleasing illustrations... Short and satisfying to read aloud, this will have wide appeal.Canadian Materials -
From the opening lines, "When Leo was small/His father planted a tree/A scratchy branchy linden tree", author Debora Pearson sets the rhythm and tone of her simple, eloquent story. The "story" is, in fact, a free verse poem that is filled with descriptive language, observations, rhyming phrases and no punctuation. Leo's growth is echoed throughout the story by the growth of his tree.... The text of the story contains both a comforting reassurance that time is unfolding as it should and a delighted wonder at the remarkable changes that have occurred in Leo, his tree and nature. The arrival of Sophie, Leo's baby sister, begins the cycle of growth again and gently returns the reader back to the opening lines of the story. This makes for a fitting conclusion... Leo's Tree is an uplifting family tale that makes an enjoyable read for both parents and children. The rhythmic language, warm watercolours and cyclical storyline combine to make this book a success.... Highly Recommended.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.—Eleanor Heldrich