The Things That I Love about Trees by Chris Butterworth
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on February 28th 2018
ISBN: 0763695696
Pages: 32
Goodreads

A little girl loves trees. She introduces the reader to a plum tree and then proceeds to tell the reader why she loves the tree in the spring, summer, fall and winter. In spring, it is the change that takes place, buds that get bigger and produce leaves. Leaves that attract bees and spring begins. She then tells her love of the tree in summer, the look of full leafy trees and the sound, in fall it is the color and in winter, the bareness.  The text that tells of the love of trees is in large print, while lots of information about trees is in small print that does not interfere with the illustrations. These illustrations are done in ink and watercolor. they are soft browns and greens and give a calmness to the story. Through the eyes of a little girl the reader in introduced to the cycle of the seasons and what each season offers and the cycle of a tree, something that  is affected by the seasons. It is reminiscent of Gail Gibbon’s Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree.

This is a great way to begin the spring season. It is a wonderful selection for young readers.

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine