The Hugging Tree: A Story of Resilience
Jill Neimark, Author
Nicole Wong, Illustrator
Magination Press, Sep. 22, 2015
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Trees, Nature, Determination, Resilience, Hope, Compassion
Opening: “On a bleak and lonely rock / by a vast and mighty sea / grew a lonely little tree / where no tree should ever be.”
Synopsis: This is a story about a lonely little tree planting its roots on a high cliff above a beautiful and unforgiving sea. The tree basks in the spring and summer sunbeams and endures the raging storms and the cold winters. It thrives with the ebbs and flows of the sea. It provides a home for a loon family. Over time the harsh environment begins to tear its exposed roots and weakens the tree. One day a boy discovers the tree high on the cliff. Everyday he brings rich soil and tends to the tree until it one day it fulfills its greatness.
Why I like this book:
The Hugging Tree is an inspiring story about a tree’s resilience to thrive and survive the harsh challenges of being the only tree at the top of a cliff. Jill Neimark’s poetic and rhythmic text sings off the pages as we follow a tree through its many seasons. The story is a beautiful metaphor of the natural world that children will understand and embrace as they face challenges in their daily lives. It will introduce them to themes of resilience, determination and standing tall during difficult times.
The story is also a triumphant reminder of the inescapable connection between people’s actions and nature. The boy shows love and compassion in his tender care for the tree so that it begins to thrive and realize its full potential. It is also reminds children that they too can make a difference.
Nicole Wong’s watercolors are exquisite, lively and expressive and contribute significantly to the story. There is power in her illustrations of the stormy sea and windy coast, and sensitivity when the tree is ragged and barely standing. This is an exceptional pairing of art and text.
My Favorite Lines:
Soft gold sunbeams / kissed her crown, / warm as honey pouring down. / At night she raised her branches high / to greet the moon up in the sky.
“Mighty cliff, hold me tight. / Don’t let me blow away.” / “Little tree, with all my might, ‘ I’ll hold you close, / night and day.”
Now every day new people stop / to rest beneath the little tree / and dream the things we all dream of. / To love, to share, to give, to dare / to grow just where we are. /
And to this very day they come. / For on a splendid sunny rock / by a warm and bright blue sea / a great big hugging tree / grows just where she was meant to be.
Resources: There is A Note to Parents and Caregivers in the back pages, which is a perfect resource for parents, teachers and counselors helping children build resilience. It provides suggestions to help children talk about the challenges they face daily (i.e. bullying, disappointments, loss, etc.) and tools to cope. Make sure you also read Neimark’s remarks at the beginning of the book about the conception of The Hugging Tree. Visit Jill Neimark at her website.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
*Please Note: My website will be on hiatus until October 19.
Hi, Patricia – I wanted to let you know that I love your blog and am pinning many on my Pinterest specialty books. This one sounds great – wanted to comment on your blog but it takes me to an OOPS page. It’s definitely going on my list!
Thanks! Beth
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Thank you so much Beth. I accidentally published “The Hugging Tree” and withdrew it immediately — thus the reason you got the “oops.” I was scheduling it to release Oct. 1. I’m delighted you enjoy my reviews. I know the authors will appreciate your pinning my reviews of their books on your Pinterest.
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Sounds like an absolutely beautiful book…both in words and pictures! I’m at the library now so I can see if they have it. 🙂
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It is a beautiful story. Jill really out did herself with this story. The library may not have it yet, but you can request that they order it.
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Will do!
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Thanks for this gorgeous review. You made my day!
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It wasn’t hard to review such a lyrical story with a wonderful meaning for kids. I really loved your book and see so many ways it can be used.
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What beautiful rhythm in this beautiful text.
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The lyrical text and imagery really grabbed me. And, the illustrations are powerful. Thanks for the tweet.
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What a cool way to write about trees that cling to cliffs. “Hugging” – what wonderful imagery, and the language is wonderful. Thanks for sharing – I don’t think I would have run across it on my own.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed The Hugging Tree. The imagery is magnificent!
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This looks lovely. Enzo and I were talking about Miranda Paul’s Water is Water on the way to school this morning (foggy wet). This looks equally lovely. We will check it out. Thank you.
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This is a special book with many themes children will relate to. Jill wrote a remarkable book. So happy to hear you and Enzo liked Water is Water.
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Ooo. Love that opening line. Thanks.
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Yes, I loved the opening line. Such a beautiful and poetic story.
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The Hugging Tree sounds like a perfect picture book. It reminds me that children need the same love and affection the young boy gave the tree. What a wonderful story.
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I hadn’t specifically thought of that analogy, but you are right! It is a PPB.
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You find the most tender book Patricia. Put it on my to read list. Thanks!
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Thanks Keila. It is a tender book but one about determination and survival. It’s also poetic and beautifully illustrated.
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Shared your post with Jill. I didn’t even know she had a new title out. Thanks, Patricia!
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Thanks Julie! It turns out I wrote her first review! You’d love the illustrations!
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Such a beautiful book!
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I am so happy you enjoyed the review. Perfect for the classroom.
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Another great book about love, care and resilience. I´m behind on commenting as I´ve been away on a cruise. I think you have been on one recently as well. I hope you enjoyed your cruise as much as we enjoyed ours to Barcelona, Marseilles in France, Genoa, Naples and Messina in Italy and Malta. Side trips to Aix-en-Provence and Pompeii! All amazing places.
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Jill’s book is a gem. I fell in love with the story immediately. Sounds like you had a great cruise to Spain, France and Italy. Wow. We took a cruise to Hawaii and it was beautiful sailing and visiting the islands. I tried to catch up on blogs as much as possible.
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Thank you for sharing this post with #diversekidlit as I hadn’t caught it before and I didn’t know about the book – and anything with trees and hugging together in the title already has a head start as far as I am concerned! it sounds beautiful and I will have to seek it out…
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A friend wrote the book and it has been one of my favorites. It was nice to be able to share it!
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