Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Patricia Metola

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl,

illustrated by Patricia Metola

Flyaway Books, 2022, 40 pages

This week we celebrate Earth Day and if you read the Author's Note for this book, you will understand why I chose it as part of that celebration. Trees, Gehl writes, can communicate and even help one another by sending nutrients to each other, a process scientists are only beginning to understand. 

Young Britta has two favorite trees, an apple and a magnolia tree, and she is sure that they are best friends. Britta's skeptical dad and her very skeptical older sister Bronwyn did not think that trees could be friends, but Nana says that sometimes "unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all."

Then one day, Magnolia begins to droop, her bark becomes patchy and gray, and her leaves turn brown. Skeptical dad and very skeptical Bronwyn don't think Magnolia will be able to survive the winter, but all Nana wants to know whether or not Britta has a plan for helping her beloved tree.

Britta, with Nana's support and the help of her dog and cat devises ways to bring the two trees together in the hope that Apple would send good things Magnolia's way. First, she attaches telephone cups on string so they could communicate better, then she wraps them in a long scarf for warmth and finally, she strings lights through their branches so they could always see each other. And as time passes, Britta is sure that the trees were growing together. Naturally, skeptical dad and very skeptical Bronwyn didn't think the trees were growing toward each other, but Britta and Nana make a chart to measure the distance anyway.

Sure enough, the distance between the trees begins to gets smaller. Britta and Nana may have faith in the power of friendship even between trees, but can Apple really help Magnolia heal or is it just wishful thinking on Britta's part? What do you think?

This is a lovely, lyrical story about the importance of relationships and nature- and, according to my young readers, there are four important ones in this picture book. There is the subtle camaraderie between Britta and her dog, the close relationship between Britta and Nana, the love between Britta, Apple and Maple, and of course, the friendship between the two trees themselves. My young readers actually found five relationships, but we voted not to count the naysayers Dad and Bronwyn here because this is also a book about believing, positivity, and determination and not about giving up.

The stylish, whimsical illustrations are a pleasure to look at and explore. They have the feeling of a child's drawings done in crayon and are just perfect for this story. One other thing my kids commented on is the fact that Britta is clearly a biracial girl with a white father and a brown Nana. Apple and Magnolia makes an ideal read aloud, and is sure to generate some interesting thoughts and observations. 

You can download a free Educator's Guide about how trees and their importance, how we can help trees stay healthy, and how trees may communicate with each other HERE

 Here's what the reviewers are saying about Apple and Magnolia:

★“What’s not to love about this endearing and effervescent picture book?” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ “Beautifully told and illustrated, this book is a gem on many levels.”  —School Library Journal (starred review)

Laura Gehl is the award-winning author of more than thirty popular picture books, board books, and early readers including One Big Pair of Underwear, Except When They Don't, My Pillow Keeps Moving, and the Baby Scientist series. A former science writer and teacher, Laura holds a PhD in neuroscience. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband, four children, and large stash of dark chocolate. Visit Laura online at lauragehl.com.

Twitter: @AuthorLauraGehl

Instagram: @authorlauragehl

Facebook: @AuthorLauraGehl

Patricia Metola has illustrated more than twenty books for children. Her work has been showcased by the Bologna Children's Book Fair on several occasions. She lives in Madrid, Spain. Instagram: @patriciametola