Little Tree

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.