Little Tree

* "The illustrations are beautifully rendered . . . Understated and inviting, young readers will be entranced by Little Tree s difficult but ultimately rewarding journey." Booklist, starred review

"Long s gentle but powerful story about a young tree who holds tight to his leaves, even as everyone else lets theirs drop, takes on nothing less than the pain and sorrow of growing up. Season after season, Little Tree clings to his brown-leaved self until he can take a leap and shed his protection. He feels the harsh cold of winter, but soon grows tall and green, and it s not bad at all. As in Long s unaccountably profound books about Otis the tractor, a pure white background somehow adds to the depth." The New York Times Book Review

* "[Long's] willingness to take his time and even test the audience s patience with his arboreal hero s intransigence results in an ending that s both a big relief and an authentic triumph. Long s earnest-eloquent narrative voice and distilled, single-plane drawings, both reminiscent of an allegorical pageant, acknowledge the reality of the struggle while offering the promise of brighter days ahead." Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Long is sparing with the text, keeping it simple and beautifully descriptive. Brilliantly colored illustrations done in acrylic, ink, and pencil stand out on bright white pages, with Little Tree taking the center position in each double-page spread. Tender and gentle and altogether lovely." Kirkus Reviews

"Children will see the tree facing the scariness of change; adult readers may well feel wistful as the story underscores the need to let their babies grow toward independence. Beautiful. Grade: A" Cleveland Plain Dealer