Big Tree

  An incredible immersive novel in words and pictures by Brian Selznick, a love letter to the natural world. Big Tree follows two tiny sycamore seeds, Louise and Merwin, as they try to save the world while searching for a safe place to grow. In the spirit of such timeless classics as Charlotte's Web, The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, Big Tree is a fast-paced epic adventure that takes readers on a mesmerizing journey from the prehistoric age to present day. It is filled with mystery and danger, humour, heart, and hope, and will captivate readers ages seven and up. Selznick creates a vivid fantastical world rooted in science, a cast of unforgettable original characters, and an exquisite escapade that takes readers on a mesmerising journey from prehistory through the meteoric transformation of Earth to present day. Big Tree is a tour de force from an ingenious creator at the top of his creative form. This story began as an original idea from film legend Steven Spielberg, and his production company has the film rights. A page-turning adventure with wonderful characters, about how even the smallest can make an impact and save our world Brian's first book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, was the winner of the esteemed Caldecott Medal, the first novel to do so, as the Caldecott Medal is for picture books & made into a feature length film, HUGO, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Jude Law  

About the Author :
Brian Selznick's books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his innovative and genre-defying thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted into the eponymous movie by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and the New York Times bestseller, The Marvels. Selznick's two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, an ALA Notable Book co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers as well. He also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Selznick and Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla, California. Learn more at thebrianselznick.com and mediaroom.scholastic.com/brianselznick.

Review :
Praise for Big Tree: "The tale of the natural world is the greatest story we have to tell, and Brian delivers a brilliant chapter of that tale throughout the pages of Big Tree." -- STEVEN SPIELBERG "Brian Selznick is a singular talent. Big Tree grips you from start to finish and resonates emotionally long after you have finished reading." -- CHRIS MELEDANDRI, founder, Illumination * "Sure to elicit gasps of surprise and delight...The astonishing story is at once vast and intimate, succeeding as both a small-scale adventure story and a broader exploration of the natural world. Glorious pencil drawings, moving swiftly from macro to micro lenses, turn wispy seeds into spritely, darling protagonists, and wordless sketched reveals that follow text interludes are sure to elicit gasps of surprise and delight. . . . An enthralling and expansive meditation on what it means to be alive on this planet." -- Booklist, starred review * "Selznick's dedication to dual storytelling through text and hundreds of finely detailed pencil drawings allows for each to progress the plot in succession, creating a balanced and rich book that invites careful reading and poring over illustrations to find all of the connective threads. . . . His expressive art that highlights the heart of the story, paired with his keen eye for creating sympathetic and memorable lost children . . . are a powerful combination to bring to this epic quest. Selznick fans will be delighted, and dinosaur fans and nature buffs will likely be just as enthralled." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred and recommended review * "Silvery, deeply textural drawings move elegantly between planet-scale drama, microscopic life, and Louise and Merwin's shifting surroundings as the pace bounds inexorably onward, ending in a contemporary city. . . . In evocative prose and peppery dialogue . . . the cinematic story journeys across time and space, contemplating the power of life to heal and the importance of developing 'roots and wings.'" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Selznick elegantly intertwines pictures and words to tell the macro story of the natural world through the micro perspective of two sycamore seeds. . . . [His} control of narrative, pacing, and book design is idiosyncratic and masterful. Fluid shifts between prose and double-page spreads of accomplished pencil illustrations are clear and effective. . . . Ambitious...poignant...hopeful." -- The Horn Book, starred review * "Selznick returns with a majestically illustrated, modern-day parable...this tale, with its combination of a childlike narrative and profound illustrations, presents a big, universal story of taking care of the miraculous Earth on which we live. Selznick's signature art was created with pencil on hot pressed watercolor paper, and the texture and nuance of these nearly 300 pages will strike wonder in every reader....Weighty themes of connectedness, conservation, and the impact that one small voice can have on the fate of the universe might feel unfathomable and too big for children, but in Selznick's hands, this poignant fable will resonate with all readers, young and old. A special, one-of-a-kind book for the whole family that readers won't soon forget." -- School Library Journal, starred review "A labor of love--no, of passion--for the world and all the life it supports, Brian Selznick's Big Tree spreads its storytelling canopy to cover all of us. We're implicated, we're honored. We're family." -- Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked "Inspirational, important, and beautiful. A fable for our times." -- Alan Gratz, bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero "Grand in scope, yet intimate and tender. Quintessential Selznick. A triumph!" -- Pam Muñoz Ryan, bestselling author of Esperanza Rising and the Newbery Honor Book Echo "Big Tree is exactly the kind of book the world needs most right now." -- C.C. Harrington, author of the bestselling Indie's Introduce Pick and Schneider Family Book Award winner Wildoak Praise for The Invention of Hugo Cabret: 2008 Caldecott Medal winnerNational Book Award Finalist#1 New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Best Illustrated BookLos Angeles TimesFavorite Children's Book of the YearTIME Magazine's 100 Best Children's and Young Adult Books of All Time"Evokes wonder... like a silent film on paper." -- The New York Times"A fast-paced treat." -- People Magazine"Distinctive." -- The Wall Street Journal"Cinematic." -- Parenting Magazine"Captivating." -- Los Angeles Times Book Review* "A true masterpiece."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Fade to black and cue the applause!" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Complete genius." -- The Horn Book, starred review* "Breathtaking... shatters conventions." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "An original and creative integration of art and text." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Visually stunning... raises the bar." -- San Antonio Express-News Praise for Wonderstruck: #1 New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Notable Children's BookALA Notable Children's Book Parents' Choice Gold WinnerPublishers Weekly Best Book"Engrossing, intelligent, beautifully engineered and expertly told in word and image." -- The New York Times Book Review"Moving and ingenious... " -- The Wall Street Journal"Brian Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece -- The Invention of Hugo Cabret -- with another even more brilliantly executed." -- The Washington Post"Another entrancing, exquisitely illustrated novel... Older kids and adults alike will be mesmerized by the interlocking stories. A verbal and visual marvel." -- Family Circle* "A gift for the eye, mind, and heart." -- Booklist, starred review* "Visually stunning, completely compelling." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Innovative... has the makings of a classic." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "A thing of wonder to behold... an emotional experience that neither the words nor the illustrations could achieve on their own." -- School Library Journal, starred review Praise for The Marvels: New York Times BestsellerNew York Times Notable Children's BookAn Indie Bound #1 National BestsellerGuardian Children' s Book Prize FinalistPublishers Weekly Best Book* "Selznick continues his quest to shake up notions of illustrated novels, wordless storytelling, and the intersection of text and pictures in this newest volume... The novel as a whole is exactly the sort of theater that is so lovingly described within." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review* "Caldecott Medalist Selznick has been creating acclaimed illustrated novels for years now, and his latest takes his groundbreaking narrative format to new heights... [this] warm, affecting family tale is bittersweet, astonishing, and truly marvelous." -- Booklist, starred review* "... epic theater celebrating mysteries of the heart and spirit." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "[A] powerful story about creating lasting art and finding family in unexpected places." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Memorable, momentous." -- School Library Journal, starred review