Pine and the Winter Sparrow

“Lumbard (Everyone Prays) retells a Cherokee tale about why trees lose their leaves in winter  . . . The pacing of Lumbard’s telling builds suspense (‘Oak huffed and puffed. Then he huffed and puffed some more. Finally he grumbled, “Go away, little fellow” ’). The spreads by Vidal (A Library for Juana), with their fine detail and muted colors, vividly depict trees that vary vastly in color, shape, and leaf. The message about kindness is obvious, and the one about nature’s beauty and changes is subtle and visually persuasive. A foreword from Native American storyteller Robert Lewis connects Lumbard’s story, which has several variants among native peoples, to indigenous ideas about the sacredness of nature. Ages 4–up.”
— Publishers Weekly

“With the beautiful pictures, easy reading style, and the fun of folklore, children ages four to seven, and their parents, will enjoy reading this sturdy hardcover book time and time again.”
— ForeWord Reviews

“A foreword by Native American storyteller Robert Lewis and a lengthy author’s note regarding her source lend authenticity to this charming retelling of the Native American fable ‘Why the Trees Lose Their Leaves.’ . . . Vidal’s watercolor and pencil spreads progress from the bright colors of autumn to the stark purple-hued skies of winter and finally, after Creator’s decree, to a spread of evergreens scattered among the other trees, their branches bare against the snow-filled landscape. A fine discussion-starter about the importance of kindness.”
— School Library Journal