"A remarkable story not to be missed."
--School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
"Hilariously irreverent and enchantingly strange."
--Shelf Awareness (STARRED REVIEW)
The interconnected stories of seventeen creatures all living and dreaming underneath the same tree.
The tree is as old as the world, covered in cracks and crevices--and full of life. A sloth hangs on a branch all day but longs to somersault through the woods. The moon moth caterpillar watches her friends shed their skins and decides to do things differently. The barn swallow feels like she's lost something--but can't remember what. The common toad disagrees with his name--and the duck-billed platypus might have something to say about that. The red squirrel has the strangest sense that he might be a human--for one, that looks like a watch on his wrist! Wherever you look in this tree, another creature has a thought, a dream, a decision, a question...
With spectacular art by New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated awardee Jeska Verstegen, this middle-grade novel will charm readers with its imaginative storytelling and extraordinary cast of animal characters. Hilarious, surreal, and thought-provoking, The Tree That Was a World is an utterly unforgettable book.
About the Author :
Yorick Goldewijk is a Dutch writer and music composer whose books include Movies Showing Nowhere (Pushkin), which the Guardian called "strikingly original" and The Times named a best children's book of the year. He hopes that The Tree That Was a World serves as an ode to curiosity and the small bits of wonder that lie hidden everywhere around us. Follow Yorick on Instagram @yorickgoldewijk..
Jeska Verstegen is the author of I'll Keep You Close (Levine Querido) and the illustrator of over 100 books. Bear Is Never Alone (Eerdmans) was named a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book and a Bank Street College Best Children's Book. She lives in Amsterdam. Visit her website at jeskaverstegen.nl or follow her on Instagram @jeska_verstegen.
Laura Watkinson translates books for children and adults from Dutch, German, and Italian. Her translations have received numerous honors, including three Mildred L. Batchelder Awards and the Vondel Translation Prize. She is the founder of the Dutch chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SBCWI). Laura lives in Amsterdam. Visit her website at laurawatkinson.com.
Review :
"Clever...would make wonderful read alouds that work across a range of ages...enhanced by Verstegen's ethereal artwork, which brings the magic and wonder of the stories to life....A remarkable story not to be missed."
--School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
"Mirth, absurdism, and deep meaning entwine in Goldewijk's surreal fables. Middle-grade and adult readers who love humor, grace, and depth should enjoy this gem...hilariously irreverent and enchantingly strange."
--Shelf Awareness (STARRED REVIEW)
"Humorous, quirky...Large, surreal mixed-media illustrations add a magical, fairy tale-like atmosphere, with dreamy colors and whimsical details that perfectly complement the imaginative text. A thought-provoking, unique story that celebrates the beauty of nature and the richness and wonder found in diverse perspectives."
--Booklist
"Verstegen's finely detailed illustrations have a delicate beauty that is at turns playful and eerie...Weird and a little bit wicked, this has the charm of Tak's My Presentation Today is About the Anaconda with an added bite."
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A work of unusual wisdom...characterizations are heartfelt and sympathetic...an inventive story collection."
--Foreword Reviews
"Goldewijk maintains an engaging balance of whimsy with deep themes about self-acceptance...Verstegen's stunning, atmospheric portraits of the creatures are by turns intimate and cosmic....Weird yet wonderful."
--Kirkus Reviews
"I was so enchanted with this world I read this in a single sitting....one of my favorites of the year!"
--Kids Read the World
"You MUST see this one!"
--Jennifer Sniadecki, Reading Teacher Writes
"This book in particular is an unusual little beastie, both funny and surreal, an exploration of nature and behavior."
--Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
"Goodness me, this is exquisite."
--librarian Kit Ballenger, Kit on Lit
"Both uproariously funny and profoundly thought-provoking....An absolute joy to read!"
--Words Without Borders
"One of my favorite books of the year....unexpected, funny, and surreal....excited to try it out with fans of The Wild Robot and Big Tree."
--elementary librarian Chrissie Wright, Chrissie Writes
