"Toggling between two timelines, Wynter tells a warm, affectionate story behind a cherished pecan tree and an intergenerational family. Pen and ink, gouache, and collage artwork by Miyares exudes the golden light of autumn, and prose by Wynter shimmers with evocative sense words—it’s almost possible to smell the pie." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Gorgeous images and text chronicle joyful childhood experiences—a future classic." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Wynter’s text sings with the economy and elegance of a poem, and specificities delight (“a leaf flecked with holes”). Miyares’s illustrations, which capture light especially well, reflect the wonder of friends, family, the outdoors—and the magnificence of a tree that began when 'Nell picks up a seed.'" — Horn Book (starred review)
"Miyares' pen-and-ink, gouache, and collage illustrations pair well with the two story lines, effectively expanding the concept of a family tree being both a physical tree and a representation of loving relationships." — Booklist (starred review)
"In two stories that speed gracefully toward each other… Miyares creates breathtaking paintings that share and further the dance of words. The lines are lyrical but tight, not a word out of place. A story of a tree, of generations, of mindfulness, and a wonderful way to show how small acts have far-reaching consequences." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"A beautiful homage to how the labor and vision of previous generations can benefit so many who come after. Miyares’ illustrations capture that ineffable sense of home... and gouache collage lends each spread a timeless glow that is perfectly suited to Wynter’s text. This would be an excellent read-aloud choice for Arbor Day or Earth Day."
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Wynter’s prose is spare, lighting like a little blue bird on the moments that matter, and it combines with Daniel Miyares’ recognizable ink and gouache artwork to skillfully elicit the feel of a lazy summer day....Generations of readers will be inspired by this sweet story to plant seeds of their own." — BookPage
"Care, growth and abundance for the future — in both tree and family — make this a vital, timely book." — Toronto Star
★ 2022-12-14
Linked stories about the planting and multigenerational use of one tree unfold in rhythmic verse.
Before children reach for the branches and climb a tree, Nell, a young Black child, holds a seed. Before awestruck children find a nest filled with eggs and watch them hatch, Nell plants the seed. Before children race from the house to the tree, before a child finds a perfect spot for reading under the tree, before sacks of pecans are collected and sweet pies are baked, Nell nurtures the seedling with sunlight and water, then plants the tree. Playful, lovely text alternates between quickly flowing verses on spreads with the children at their grandmother’s home and slower, methodical verses accompanying images of a young Nell planting the tree. As Nell grows from a young mother to a grandmother, with the same white house in the background, the tree also grows and grows until it shelters several generations of Nell’s family. Readers will delight in watching as time goes back and forth, showing connections between past and present in nature and in the family. Pen-and-ink, gouache, and collage illustrations in a muted, nature-inspired palette give a slightly old-fashioned, atmospheric feel to this rich portrayal of an African American family rooted to the land. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Gorgeous images and text chronicle joyful childhood experiences—a future classic. (author’s and illustrator’s notes) (Picture book. 4-8)
