Is this time of critical climate change it is more important than ever for children to understand the relationships in their environment. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about the inter-relationship of two trees and a little girls strong belief that the trees can help each other thrive. I think my favorite line was "unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all." That's an important message in so many contexts!

Apple and Magnolia is a beautiful story about unique friendships. I love the message that friendships can come in different forms and in unexpected places, and, that supporting our friends can help them blossom.

The illustrations in Apple and Magnolia are stunning and whimsical. My two-year old loved scrolling through the illustrations as much as she loved the story itself.

While the story itself is sweet, the illustrations really brought the book to life. The colors are captivating and beautiful. I found myself looking at the illustrations awhile after the story was finished.

Apple and Magnolia is a story I would definitely buy for my daughter’s bookshelf.

This is a cute story about a young girl who loves a magnolia and an apple tree. When the magnolia appears to be dying, she knits a scarf to tie the trees together and does other things to connect the trees. Though the illustrations and story were likable, as a science teacher I’m not sure that tying trees together would help a dying tree. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Britta has two favorite trees. One is an apple tree and one is a magnolia tree. She believes that the trees are best friends. Britta notices one day that Magnolia is not looking right. She wonders if there’s anything she and Apple can do to help.

This is a sweet story about unusual friendships and how powerful they can be. The illustrations are beautiful. My four-year-old loved them.

Thanks to @netgalley and @flyawaybooks1 for an advanced copy of this book. It will be released on 2/8/22.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl.
A simple story of friendship and hope with beautiful illustrations. The short text makes this book perfect for preschoolers and would make a good read-aloud. Britta's perseverance and hope along with Nana's encouragement teach an important lesson. Laura Gehl's note at the beginning is important to understanding the concept of this story.

This is an adorable book with whimsical, colorful illustrations and simple and repetitive text. With a loving but disbelieving father, an indifferent older sister, and a supportive Nana, Britta decides that the two trees, Apple and Magnolia, are friends. When Magnolia seems to be “ailing,” Britta (with her Nana’s support) comes up with a plan to help Magnolia get better by employing Apple’s friendship. Apple and Magnolia deals with themes of determination, love, and friendship (with a side of information about tree botany.) After all, as Nana tells Britta, “unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all.” Recommended ages: 3 – 7

Applause for this book! The illustrations are beautiful, and the message is timeless. Easy to understand for little ones, yet a perfect read for all ages. Grandma's everywhere will especially appreciate this book.

To some, the apple and magnolia trees are just trees, but Britta knows that these two plants have a special relationship: they're friends. When the magnolia becomes ill, Britta is sure that the apple will be able to help, despite what anyone says to the contrary.

While I love the elements of magic and faith in this story, it's also true that trees can communicate and help each other. I really enjoyed the balance of these elements and the way that Britta never stopped believing in them, just like a true friend should. The artwork was a cozy collection of multimedia elements, but I particularly loved watching Britta's afro from page to page. This book is a definite win as an arbor day read for my kindergartners, and it's a cozy story for any time of the year.

Thank you to Netgalley and Flyaway Books for this lovely arc.

Apple and Magnolia is one of those special stories that creates possibilities for readers of all ages. The illustrations are vibrant and compelling. Written from a child's perspective, the story captures the voice of young people just right. What a fabulous book to use to start discussions about the ways we are always entangled with the more-than-human world. Not only will I read this with children, I will also use this book to introduce posthuman theories in my graduate courses. A gem of a book!

With the support of her Nana, Britta tries to draw two friends together through a challenging time. Young readers may be inspired by the lively, vibrant art to draw their own pictures of Britta, her family, and friends. Discussions might include imagining and then challenging possible reasons Apple and Magnolia's friendship could be considered unusual. However, I wonder if this story's core concept, undefined "unusual" friendships, actually unnecessarily introduces and then reinforces the idea there might be something controversial about young readers' existing relationships.

The illustrations are stunning and vivid. A quote I enjoyed from the book was “But Nana said unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all.” Britta is a girl who visits her two favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia, and believes in their friendship, even when others around her don’t. Britta also believes that the two trees are friends and help each other survive the winter. This was a touching story that I would recommend for my friends and family that have or are preparing to have children. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this sweet story to provide an honest review. I have been reading some very engaging children’s and middle-grade fiction and nonfiction books so far this year, and have been pleasantly surprised by many, including this one. It is worth the read for all ages! I also appreciated the author’s note that described how trees really can help each other by sending nutrients to one another.

Very pretty coloring/illustrations, & a fun, lyrical, hopeful/positive story line....& an idea that little children could see & understand.....it's about a little girl exploring the idea of trees being friends! This would be a fun book to read to/share with little kids, & I think they'd enjoy the pictures & story too. I can easily recommend this to all!
I received a complimentary e-ARC of this book from publisher Flyaway Books via NetGalley in return for reading it & offering my own fair & honest review.

Thank you to the Flyaway Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this wonderful book. This book is about friendship against all odds and overcoming adversity. In the words of one of the characters in the story, “ Unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all.” Beautiful language and illustrations would appeal to and touch any reader. I cannot wait to share this book with my students and give it as gifts to all the children in my life.

It has been proven that trees can help one another, sending nutrients through the soil, and warnings through the air. You might even say that trees can be friends.

Britta, the little girl in this book, certainly believes that her two favorite trees, Apple and Magnolia, are friends. So, when Magnolia begins to do poorly, she works with Apple to make the other tree well again.

The illustrations are just as gorgeous as the story!

What a lovely, lovely book!


Many thanks to NetGalley and Flyaway Books for a chance to enjoy this beautiful story.

I received an electronic ARC from Flyaway Books through NetGalley.
I love the message about unusual friendships in this story. Readers see two trees through Britta's eyes as she describes their friendship and through that her own beliefs. She stands up for her belief that the trees are friends despite family telling gently and not so gently that this is impossible. Her Nana is supports her unconditionally and encourages her to believe in herself. Softly colored illustrations capture the two trees and the human characters as each is seen through Britta's eyes.
A delightful book for elementary readers to encourage them to believe and see the world for themselves.

A gentle story that introduces children to the complexities of trees that adults are only now beginning to understand. The author's note providing facts about these complexities saves the story from being just another children's tale and transforms it to one that inspires amazement and curiosity about the world of the trees around us. The lovely illustrations appear to move and sway as they deepen the story line of friendship and the little known wonders of trees. The ending comes too soon and we are left wanting more of this seemingly magical world!

I was genuinely touched by this story of two trees and one little girl's faith in their friendship. The illustrations are as gorgeous as the story. I'll be gifting this book to the little ones in my life.

This book is positively adorable! The message that unusual friendships are the most powerful of all is a wonderful one. In this book, Britta loves two trees, Apple and Magnolia. She believes these two trees are friends and have a deep and abiding care for each other. But then, Magnolia isn't looking like it will survive and Britta does what she can to support the friendship of the two trees and to make sure they can stay connected over the winter. And, although it may seem unlikely and there are those that doubt it, the two trees grow closer together both literally and figuratively. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was simple and sweet and showed that you can help the friendships around you just for the sake of goodness. I'll happily add this to my classroom!

Britta sees the world a little differently than everyone else around her. She has a unique view which makes her more empathetic and caring. Britta decides to help two trees in her yard, the apple tree and the magnolia tree, become friends. Everyone told her it was a silly idea, that it couldn't be done, but Nana saw the potential and supported Britta in her endeavors. Britta persevered day after day, helping in every way imaginable and caring for her trees.
This book highlights topic such as friendship, believing in your dreams, and patience, perseverance and resilience when things take a long time to achieve.

Britta stays focused through a long winter, and little by little the trees become closer and closer. It seems like it will never happen but Nana shares her pearls of wisdom with each painstaking inch to keep Britta's hopes up.

A fantastic tale with beautiful images, and simple text.

Loved this book! What a sweet story about a girl, Britta, helping two trees to grow in their friendship and flourish together. I loved Britta's perseverance in helping the trees, even when everyone around her told her she was wrong. A perfect book about helping others and friendship.