Tree: A Little Story about Big Things (Danny Parker, illus by Matt Ottley, Little Hare)

This ‘little story about big things’ explores the cycle of life and death, the turn of seasons, survival of the fittest and the delicacy of beautiful things. This complex and deeply meaningful subject matter is portrayed using minimal, carefully chosen words, with barely a sentence on each double-page spread. The stunning illustrations extend the story, depicting the harshness of the elements, the destruction caused by the spread of urban life, and most poignantly, the human lives affected by all this. Every double-page spread is bled-off solid colour, except one. It shows a simple, broken image against a white space, and provides a dramatic and tragic climax to the story. This beautiful hardback book includes a jacket that folds out into an impressive poster, showcasing illustrator Matt Ottley’s work, and the publisher should be congratulated for the careful production and design values. Tree is recommended for children aged three and up, and while three-year-olds can look at the pretty pictures, I think the message would probably be more suitable for children aged six and up.
 
Margaret Hamilton is a former children’s book publisher. She now provides freelance publishing services and runs Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage in Blackheath, NSW

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews