Selznick, Brian. Big Tree. Scholastic Press, 2023. 978-1-338-18063-3. 525 p. $32.99. Grades 3-6

Louise has been hearing a voice but she has no idea where it’s coming from. She has been trying to tell her brother Merwin but he doesn’t really believe her. They are both seeds from a sycamore tree and one day a fire forces their mother sycamore tree to send them into the world. The two seedlings must use all their wits and wisdom to figure out the best place to grow up, avoiding all the dangers they encounter on the way. Big Tree is illustrated throughout the book to further show the world these little seedlings find themselves in. The afterword of the book goes into further detail about the different things found within the book, and the author’s note talks more about where the idea for the book came from.

THOUGHTS: Brian Selznick’s illustrations are so beautiful and make the reader pause and take them in along with the story as they read. The size of this book might intimidate some readers, and the concept might not grab them; however, if they pick up the book they will get caught up in the story. This is a must purchase for any upper elementary collection, even if it might take a book talk to get it moving off the shelf.

Fantasy
Adventure