Maple and Rosemary

The familiar premise of two outsiders forging a lifetime bond takes an unexpected turn in this The Giving Tree-tinged picture book. Maple is the lone deciduous figure among snooty cedars and pines who "didn't have time for a tree that was all bark and no leaf for half the year," writes James (The Drums of Noto Hando) in emotional prose. When child Rosemary, portrayed with light skin and pink cheeks, seeks refuge in Maple's leafy branches ("Everybody hates me," she declares), the tree, anthropomorphized via the text, eagerly agrees to be her friend ("The tree's branches trembled, and all her leaves shook. Her wish had been granted!"). Rosemary initially visits regularly, but when she stays gone for many years with no explanation, scribbly mixed-media illustrations by Mann (The Camping Trip) evoke both the passing of time and Maple's lonely resignation. Happily, Rosemary does return--as a schoolteacher with an entire class to befriend Maple--and the two friends grow old together in a relationship that's "as real as roots." Emotionally honest and visually aware of life's seasons, this book acknowledges that cherished bonds don't always follow a simple script. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary. Illustrator's agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Feb.)

Two lonely and unlikely individuals meet and establish a friendship that spans a generation in this touching and tender picture book. The opening text establishes a timeless atmosphere, stating, "Once there was a tree," whom readers soon learn is Maple. Maple yearns for someone to talk to when a young child named Rosemary clambers up her branches. They become fast friends, with Rosemary teaching Maple the alphabet and how to count, and the tree in turn showing the child nearby butterflies and other treasures of the forest. One day, Rosemary does not come to visit, leaving Maple overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness once more. Stunning illustrations depict the passing of seasons and the eventual reunion of the duo. James's text centers Maple, rather than Rosemary, as the main character, providing the unique protagonist with emotions and feelings, while Mann's mixed-media spreads capture the beauty and wonder of the seasons. Pair with Andrea Zimmerman's If I Were a Tree and Micha Archer's Wonder Walkers for other spectacular titles that feature themes of appreciation for nature. VERDICT A tale of friendship and the environment that will find a home in many collections.—Olivia Gorecke