Little Tree: poem by e.e. Cummings

Did you know that sharp spines and spikes aren't the only things protecting the caterpillar of Postman butterfly? Its bright colors also warn predators of dangerous poison! Now young naturalists can uncover all of the bizarre and beguiling aspects of brilliant butterflies--from development to defense to diversity--in this beautiful new picture book that explodes with six vibrant pops. Accompanied by a wall-mountable display case, featuring a glittery butterfly!

K-Gr 2-Inspired by cummings's poem, which is presented in its entirety at the beginning of this beguiling book, Raschka's story echoes and expands on its themes of families and belonging. Delicate tiny vignettes decorate the text pages, which face full-page illustrations. Loose, geometric lines, skewed multiple perspectives, and childlike representations of people characterize these intricate, energetic watercolors. The story takes the little tree from his faraway forest home, via a little truck and a little train, "past the farms and little towns to the little big city," where he is purchased by a loving little family. In an engaging sideline, Santa appears in small scenes pulling on his boots, skiing, listening to music, and drinking a glass of wine at a caf‚. Final pictures reinforce the connection between the poem and the story. Visually, and as a simple, sweetly old-fashioned read-aloud, Little Tree embodies the warm sense of love and belonging that for many defines the true meaning of Christmas.-S. P.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

In this exquisite riff on Cummings's classic poem, Raschka uses lyrical cadence and gentle repetition to trace the journey of a tree who dreams of Christmas splendor from country obscurity to city stardom ("The little elevator carried the little family and the little tree up, up, up to the little family's little home"). The patchwork watercolors, an artful arrangement of line and color and framed in geometric shapes that echo the triangular tree, resemble modernistic stained glass; subtle spot illustrations hint at Santa's role in fulfilling the tree's wish. All ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5-9. Inspired by the E. E. Cummings poem (which appears on the first page of the book), Raschka offers a quietly moving story about a little tree that dreams of becoming a Christmas tree. Employing the word little like a mantra, the spare text charts the tree's odyssey from a hill in the forest to an apartment in the city--from dream to fulfillment. The triangular shape of the tree is the anchor for the geometric artwork facing the text, which becomes increasingly narrative in content as the story approaches its climax. Meanwhile, small illustrations, surrounded by white space, act as visual grace notes to the text pages and introduce a Santa Claus figure who, though never mentioned in the text, gradually joins the action, contributing a bit of whimsy. The final picture shows the joyful tree standing in a window for everyone to see. A pleasant little story about "a perfect little tree." Michael Cart
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