I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree, written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Nathalie Dion. Groundwood, 2020. $18.95 ages 4 and up

 

"I've learned it never stays away for long - 
sometimes a few minutes, 
sometimes a few hours, 
sometimes a few days. 
But it always comes back." 

Oh, what wonders there are in the natural world. For our narrator and her cat, they are evident even in early morning when the sun streaming in the window creates a giant shadow for her. For a time, the child and feline are content with the many joys found in chasing those shadows. When that shadow disappears, the child is morose. Eventually the shadow is sure to return. 

Outside, on a sunny day, the shadow is a welcome companion as the two explore a wintry wonderland. Hearing the wind tell its stories helps when the child returns home and is bothered by howling winds that occasion darkness and bad dreams. Returning to the outdoors while it is snowing offers sweet feelings in the joy of the moment. 

"Sometimes the snowflakes
toss and tumble
and arrive icy sharp 
to prickle my cheeks
and freeze my nose. 

But still
they taste

like clouds."

And, she recognizes that the buds they see on the cherry tree offer hope for spring ... and even more beauty to be found. 

This little girl's senses are alive with the seasonal changes she experiences. The gentle artwork guides readers through scenes of peacefulness and being alone in nature. Comfort abounds.