From Tree to Sea

Illustrated by Neal (Everyone) with serene, spacious landscapes, lyrical free verse by Thomas (This Book Is Not About Dragons) explores lessons to be found in the natural world. One voice narrates, but many children appear in the spreads. “Trees show me how to stand tall./ Even when the wind/ tries to blow me down,/ I dance with the breeze./ I do not fall.” Neal draws a tree in a gale, its leaves scattering. A girl in a blue dress stands underneath it, arching her body to the side with a sweet smile on her face, long black pigtails blowing in the breeze. Often, in Neal’s spreads, the majesty…

Thomas, author of the Good Knight series, here offers a series of contemplative, lyrical meditations tied to mindfulness and appreciation of the wonders of the world. In each vignette, an observation is narrated by a diverse cast of children. The narratives demonstrate that there are many parallels between the self and things in nature, such as trees, rocks, oceans, the sun, clouds, bees, baby birds, soil, cats, whales, and the moon. Closing on the message "just open your eyes and you will find it," this encourages readers to find inspiration everywhere. In Neal's sumptuous illustrations, the…

PreS-Gr 2–“Earth shows me many things” begins this gentle book that bears a powerful message. Each boundless spread depicts children quietly interacting with familiar aspects of the natural world accompanied by poetic observations such as, “Clouds show me how to rise up and float above problems…. A baby bird shows me how not to be afraid to spread my wings and fly…. Soil shows me how to support those around me.” The mixed media illustrations in muted colors echo the simplicity of the text and feature a diverse array of young children. Spacious page composition gracefully complements the theme…

This volume should be a staple in every classroom and every library. The wisdom it imparts is critical to ensuring that positivity prevails in the upcoming generation. The author wisely imbues the lessons that the trees, stones, moon, ocean, sun, wind, clouds, bees, birds, soil, and whales have to teach us if only we would stop and listen. The book’s message about protecting the earth and its resources is clearly apparent. The author’s poetic sensitivity coupled with her proclamation to wake up and view the world around us is subtle yet oh-so-effective. This book can be used as a springboard…

Sure to ignite a sense of possibility in readers, Shelley Thomas’ poetic new offering, From Tree to Sea, celebrates the pleasures of getting outside and the lessons that children can glean from their surroundings. Touching down in a variety of locations including the desert, the ocean and the rocky heights of a steep mountainside, this appealing picture book follows adventurous girls and boys as they make exciting discoveries about their environments. Throughout the book, Thomas plays up the aspects of nature that can provide comfort and assurance to young readers. Her accessible text makes…

“An original book with wide appeal.”

“A delight to share again and again.”

“ Simple on the surface, this sweet story imparts important truisms about the planet we call home.”

“Thomas’s exhortations celebrate both natural beauty and human virtue in a kind of gentle eco-theology.”

“Encourages readers to find inspiration everywhere.”