And the thing
about trees that I love
in the spring is that
changes begin.
There are buds, like beads,
getting bigger
on the branches ... "
Kids are such celebrants! I watch out the window every day as the kids at the school across the street enjoy these early spring days. They are noisier, happier, dressed in t-shirts and flip-flops, despite the still cool temperatures. I like to be in that procession. Spirits are lifted following the long, cold, dreary days of winter. Lucky us!
The little girl in this homage to trees is also happy to welcome the new buds and emerging leaves on the plum tree. She watches the activity and the life that is found there, and has some information to share with readers.
"New leaves are usually bright green
and still a bit crumpled. When you
touch them, they feel soft."
As spring moves into summer, there are other things she LOVES about TREES. They look so big, they provide shade and they make lovely sounds when summer breezes blow.
"By summer, leaves are
thicker, stronger, and
darker green than
they were in spring."
In fall, the colors are very special, and the fruit is ripe. You can catch blowing leaves, if you are lucky enough to be there when they fall. Finally, in winter, the trees are bare and quite lovely. You can see right to the very top.
Then, the wait begins for new growth in spring!
Charlotte Voake, as she always does, creates gorgeous images that match the text perfectly. Watercolors and black ink illustrations will have young readers reaching out to touch the branches and bark of her stately trees.
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