The City Tree

by Shira Boss, Lorena Alvarez (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Shira Boss (Up In the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses) lives a few blocks from NYC’s Central Park knows a thing or two about city trees. The City Tree, with the masterful, artistic touch of Lorena Alvarez (The Magical Yet), is an enchanting and informative picture book with environmental themes. A newly planted sidewalk tree transforms the neighborhood as residents nurture it through the seasons. Vibrantly illustrated and with extensive backmatter, this is a lovely ode to how trees make cities — and communities — better. Perfect for fans of The Night Gardener & The Lorax.

In this enchanting and informative picture book with environmental themes, a newly planted sidewalk tree transforms the neighborhood as residents nurture it through the seasons. Vibrantly illustrated and with extensive back matter, this is a lovely ode to how trees make cities—and communities—better. Perfect for fans of The Night Gardener and The Curious Garden.

Dani lives on a city block carpeted with concrete—until a street tree moves in. 

The tree brings the wonders of nature to Dani’s doorstep and is good company through the days and seasons. But it will need help to thrive . . .

This love letter to the many gifts of trees reminds us to take care of our neighbors—even those with roots, branches, and leaves.

• An inspiring story that will empower young readers to engage in climate activism and plant and nurture trees.
• A perfect Earth Day pick.
• Spectacular artwork depicts a vibrant, diverse neighborhood.
• Includes back matter that invites kids to care for the trees in their own neighborhood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358423416
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/04/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	200,366
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Shira Boss lives in New York City, home to 234 species of street trees! Her favorite is the dawn redwood, a conifer that drops its needles in fall. She learned about the special lives of street trees from the urban arborist Bob Redman. Shira wrote about Bob’s childhood in her picture book Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses, a Junior Library Guild selection. The couple shares their tiny Upper West Side apartment with two sons, one whippet, about 150 library books at a time, and nine species of trees in their roof garden. Visit Shira at shiraboss.com. 

Lorena Alvarez is a freelance illustrator based in Bogotá, Colombia. Her work has appeared in children's books, independent publications, advertising, and fashion magazines. She is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Nightlights.

Editorial Reviews

03/27/2023

Boss writes in praise of city greenery with this appealing story about the planting of a tree in front of a child’s apartment building. Frequently alliterative prose describes the sapling’s positive impact on the block, as witnessed by protagonist Dani, who’s portrayed with brown skin. Soon, “little birds in the tree chirped and cheeped,” blocking sounds below. And while the “traffic bellowed and belched,” leaves “shielded Dani from the noise and grime.” Cast in mauves and blues, Alvarez’s digital renderings emphasize the geometry of the city block, the attributes of the maturing tree across the seasons, and the tree as part of Dani’s community, which includes figures of varying abilities, ages, body types, and skin tones. Bustling city scenes center the tree not as backdrop but as full-fledged neighbor, reinforcing the text’s encouragement of stewardship. Back matter includes more about street trees. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "A simple story of a tree which transforms into a glorious celebration of life, growth, and community." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"Dani forms a bond with the sole tree that is planted in their urban neighborhood; this is a good introduction to the concept of greening city streets for the youngest children. Tranquil and calming, this is an ideal bedtime read." — Kirkus Reviews

"Bustling city scenes center the tree not as backdrop but as full-fledged neighbor, reinforcing the text’s encouragement of stewardship." — Publishers Weekly

"Detailed digital illustrations reflect subtle changes over time: everything becomes brighter, more colorful, and more joyous. The story winds down over the course of four double-page spreads depicting a year of poignant seasonal shifts on the street. Back matter includes information about street trees and their care along with additional resources."   — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 02/01/2023

K-Gr 3—Dani, a dark-skinned, dark-haired little girl, lives on a busy city street with a big hole in the sidewalk. One day she is intrigued to see a tree planted in the depression, bringing chirping birds, falling leaves, nesting owls, and protection from the sun. Through the changing seasons and holidays, in all kinds of weather, the tree becomes a special friend, as much a part of the neighborhood as the bodega and city stoops. As some people deface or damage the tree, Dani and her neighbors come together to clean it up, planting flowers and removing signs, giving back in exchange for all the wonder it has given them. The illustrations are impeccable—vibrant, colorful, and full of sublime detail. Young readers will especially enjoy spotting Dani's black cat, whose big yellow eyes can be seen peering from behind a flowerpot or over a window sill. The immersive language and onomatopoeia paint a vivid picture of the everyday urban soundscape and the new, sweet sounds of birds and flapping leaves. Back matter provides additional information about the importance of street trees as well as tips on how to help them. VERDICT A simple story of a tree which transforms into a glorious celebration of life, growth, and community.—Alyssa Annico

School Library Journal

2022-12-24
Dani forms a bond with the sole tree that is planted in their urban neighborhood.

“In front of Dani’s building was a hole. Sometimes dusty, sometimes puddly. And sometimes wild with bits of green.” A double-page spread, mostly in muted pastels, shows a foliage-free urban setting of adjoined buildings. But soon a truck pulls up, and two people plant a tree in that hole. For brown-skinned Dani, the tree is a source of joy—when birds arrive, the child is woken by their beautiful songs instead of truck noises. The tree helps predict the weather, protects Dani from “noise and grime,” and even offers friendship as the protagonist confides in it. Quiet, lyrical text describes the ways that typical urban sights and sounds change with the arrival of the tree; this is a good introduction to the concept of greening city streets for the youngest children. The text pointedly makes this tree more “special” to Dani than the more “magnificent” trees in the park. Depicting small details of lives lived inside and outside the apartments, the vibrant illustrations invite lengthy examination. The ending double-page spreads are a delightful combination of metaphors and vivid art as each season the tree continues to make the neighborhood a joyful place to live. Tranquil and calming, this is an ideal bedtime read. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A soothing tale of a tree that helps transform a community. (information on street trees, resources) (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews