Im Like a Tree and a Trees Like Me

(Hardback)

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Description

The growth of a tree and of a child parallel each other in this exquisitely constructed die-cut picture book about our nestedness in the natural world

I am a seed.
I grow bigger and bigger each day.
Im starting to become who I am.

So begins this story, which is also how a childs life begins and so too does a trees. With an affirming, poetic text and gorgeous, delicate art as revealed through die-cuts on almost every spread, Im Like a Tree and a Trees Like Me is a beautiful picture book about how we begin, how we grow, how were nourished, and how we live. By drawing parallels between a growing child and a growing tree, author Sylvaine Jaoui and illustrator Anne Crahay remind us of the myriad ways that humans and plants are connected as living beings.

Reviews

STARRED REVIEW! "A child and a tree grow and develop side by side... Translated from French, Jaouis conversational text is spare yet playful as child and tree comment on their similarities. Crahays watercolorlike art is simultaneously majestic and quirky, with sweet-faced insects or snails smiling up at readers. Simple but effective die cuts appear on nearly every spread... As the child embraces the tree, a diverse group of youngsters hug trees of their own, ... sending an affirming message: Despite our perceived differences, each of us is truly 'one of Earths children.' Much like life itself, this story is a gift that deserves to be shared." * Kirkus Reviews *
"The die cuts are so key... The whole book has this peek-through element to it, which makes it a great way to show [the] parallels between plants and people." -- Betsy Bird * A Fuse #8 Production (A School Library Journal blog) *

Author Bio

Sylvaine Jaoui (19622023) was an award-winning French childrens author. Im Like a Tree and a Trees Like Me is her first picture book to be published in English. Anne Crahay is a Belgian artist and illustrator. While living in the Ardennes Forest, she worked in animation and as a freelance graphic designer. She currently lives in Andrimont, Belgium, and teaches graphic design and illustration at the Saint-Luc Lige School of Art. Claudia Zoe Bedrick is the publisher, editor, and art director of Enchanted Lion Books. Several of her translations have been Batchelder Award and Honor books.