"A Tree for Emmy" by Mary Ann Rodman & illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN: 9781561454754
Hardcover - $15.95

About the book:  "I declare, Emmy," said Gramma. "That mimosa tree is a lot like you. Stubborn and strong and a little bit wild."

Emmy loves trees. She loves oak trees with acorns. She loves pine trees with cones, and willow trees with swishy branches. But best of all, Emmy loves the mimosa tree that grows in her grandmother’s pasture. Emmy swings on its branches, plays with its fuzzy pink blossoms, and rattles its seedpods like maracas.

But when Emmy decides she wants a mimosa tree of her own for her birthday, she is dismayed to find that many grown-ups do not share her enthusiasm. Garden stores only sell ornamental trees like plum or pear or tulip trees.

Emmy is crushed—until she discovers that the answer to her problem is growing right before her eyes!

This joyful story of a spirited young girl’s steadfast affection for a wild mimosa tree will appeal to all who cherish a special dream, and will help readers appreciate the natural world around them. Illustrator Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s whimsical watercolor and collage illustrations capture Emmy’s exuberant personality and the story’s hopeful ending.

My thoughts:  The book presents an interesting lesson about variety of trees. Note: it is not a tree book or a truly instructional book about trees, leaves, seeds, etc.  The story revolves around Emmy, a little girl full of energy and who her grandmother describes as stubborn and wild.  Grandmother also describes the Mimosa tree as stubborn and wild.  Describing a will-growing tree that is hard to get rid of is one thing. To describe a child as stubborn and wild and consider it a positive trait is hard to understand as a favorable trait.

It is true that stubbornness in a child is indicative of a strong will which when guided and tempered with control can lead to a strong leader in adult life.  However, to praise a child for being stubborn and wild without tempering it with controls and leadership by the adults in the child's life can only lead to an adult that is a loose cannon and that is a destructive leader.

Now the story is cute in that Emmy wants one of the pretty Mimosa trees (I, too, think they are beautiful and wouldn't mind having one in my yard.). So that is what Emmy asks for as her birthday present. She and her parents look and look but cannot find one to purchase since they are considered "wild" trees. They return to grandmother's and Emmy finds a little, tiny shoot of a Mimosa tree which they dig up and take home to plant.  Emmy learns that she must protect her new seedling and care for it even though it is a wild tree.

As I said, the story is cute and Emmy learns a little about trees and young trees.  The book is pretty and the illustrations are very nice.  Emmy looks like a loveable and delectably irresistible child. I can see the book being used to teach the tenacity of wild trees and how they are stubbornly difficult to rid oneself of. I can also see object lessons on stubbornness in a child being drawn from the story by astute adults.

GIVEAWAY: Peachtree Publishers has graciously provided the opportunity for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win a copy of A Tree for Emmy. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Begins April 29 & ENDS May 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA mailing addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of A Tree for Emmy" from Peachtree Publishers in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.