Total Pageviews

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Another Way to Climb a Tree, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Hadley Hooper. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2017. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"Lulu climbs the trees
that trap cats
and the trees
that catch kites
and
the
trees
other
kids
won't 
climb."

Unlike Lou, from yesterday's post, Lulu likes nothing better than climbing trees. She loves their leafy branches, the joy found in being above the ground, the ways she can help others who are not so keen to climb as she does. She has no fear, despite the dangers inherent in her many ascents.

"When Lulu sees         
a climbing tree,

she's here

and then she's gone,
just like that."

When Lulu is sick and unable to climb, the trees miss her as much as she misses them ... not to mention the other inhabitants who share her lofty perches and those who share the outdoors with her.  As she sits inside and watches, she sees that both the sun and moon get to spend the day and night in the tree where she so badly wants to be. It makes her even sadder. She no longer wants to see her tree. So, she turns her back to it.

But, the sun has a surprise for her! Lulu only has to use her imagination.

What a celebration of Lulu and her trees! Hadley Hooper creates her illustrations using 'traditional art materials and printmaking techniques that were scanned in and assembled in Photoshop'. They are warm and welcoming with leafy greenness enveloping young Lulu every time she climbs a tree. Even her indoor world speaks to her ongoing love of the outside world, and her big window is used to great effect when separating her from it.
                                                                         

No comments:

Post a Comment