Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Aaron Becker
22 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2021. $18.99.
Mature Content: PG
Violence: PG
AUDIENCE APPEAL: Excellent
This is lovely book, remarkable in its illustrations and poetic in its story. Based on the true story of a tree that survived the tragic events of 9/11 at the foot of the twin towers, it is a story that can equally be told by the words as by the pictures and thus is a friendly book for the the learning disabled or English language learner. This book can be used to teach poetry, prose, story elements, literary devices and writing. It is the kind of book that inspires and stays with you. A story of hope, resilience and love, this would be an excellent choice for professionals working with survivors recovering from trauma. However, because it illustrates and describes the sudden act of terrorism in New York City over twenty years ago, Survivor Tree may not be suitable for some children particularly those in the early primary years.
Excerpt: "In the fall, the tree blazed red with a million hearts before each took off in an elegant dance."
