Corinna Luyken does it again with The Tree in Me, another breathtakingly beautiful book. She’s quickly become one of my new favorite author illustrators, and her newest book does not disappoint!
Corinna Luyken’s Gorgeous Portfolio Grows with The Tree in Me
Corinna Luyken has quickly become one of my very favorite illustrators. After all, every single book she has created — whether as the author illustrator or solely as the illustrator — has been achingly beautiful. I mean, just look at that stunning cover!
Ever since I read her phenomenal story entitled The Book of Mistakes (check out our review of that book right here!), I knew Corinna was one to watch.
Corinna’s newest book, The Tree in Me, draws on a child’s inner strength. In fact, the tree is actually an extended metaphor throughout the story, one that shows how children are strong, connected to the people and world around them, and always so creative.
The Tree in Me tells the story of a child recognizing that many of the characteristics of trees — even those allowing a tree to grow and flourish — are also alive within him.
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To name a few, the tree within the child is part apple…
…it is part sun…
And because there is a tree in each of us, it is also part sky, which brings me to one of the most glorious spreads of the book:
I mean, I just LOVE this page. I love the way the sky represents that just as a tree has no limit to it’s growth, neither do we.
Our growth is limitless.
Luyken’s gorgeous illustration is a beautiful way to help children understand that there is never a boundary above our heads, and they should never give up on something they desire because the sky is truly the limit. If you want it, if you will it, you can conquer the world!
Yet, what I love most is the idea that just as a tree is strong and bends and grows deep, deep roots, so do we:
Through words and illustration, Corinna Luyken captures beauty and wonder
Just as she does with her other books, Corinna manages to capture beauty and wonder on every single page of The Tree in Me. And on every single page, she strengthens the connection between people and trees. Her words, in every book she writes, are lyrical and poetic, with not a comma out of place. Every word matters, every word paints a picture, and every word is profound.
Her illustrations draw readers in with an instant. They are whimsical and airy — radiant, if you will. The colors pop, and my gosh – this pink! – it practically glows off the page.
It is the combination of these two elements – her words and her art – that make Corinna Luyken’s books so approachable to kids. Corinna takes topics that can feel unwieldy or vague and explores them in a way that kids can really sink their teeth into. With her newest book, Corinna shows us our connection to the environment, so beautifully depicting how nature is within each and every one of us.
What an unbelievable beauty!
If you are curious to see our other favorite Corinna Luyken books, check out our reviews for: The Book of Mistakes and My Heart.
Want the book? You can purchase The Tree in Me on Bookshop.org (where all funds go to support indie bookstores around the country!) or Amazon.
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