PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares
ABOUT THE BOOK
This gorgeous picture book shows how one little girl’s careful tending of a pecan tree creates the living center of a loving, intergenerational Black family. For Earth Day and every day! Perfect for fans of Matt de la Peña and Oge Mora.
Before her grandchildren climbed the towering tree,
explored its secret nests,
raced to its sturdy trunk,
read in its cool shade,
or made pies with its pecans...
Nell buried a seed.
And just as Nell’s tree grows and thrives with her love and care, so do generations of her close-knit family.
Inspired by the pecan trees of the creators' own childhoods, Anne Wynter’s lyrical picture book, brought to life with breathtaking illustrations by Daniel Miyares, brims with wonder and love.
REVIEW
The imagery found in Nell Plants a Tree makes the book stand out, both textually and visually. Not only does the book portray the planting of a literal tree, but also a figurative one. Before Nell's grandchildren climb and enjoy the tree, Nell planted a seed. The author goes back and forth between the ways the grown tree is enjoyed by Nell's grandchildren and the process that lead to the tree's existence. Themes of growth and careful tending bringing forth valuable 'fruit' highlight this beautiful homage to both the natural world and the world of a family. The careful tending leads to a beautiful tree as well as a wonderful family. Lyrical language combined with Miyares' beautiful art make for a tender read and a reminder that the best things in life require effort and time to come to fruition.
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