Wowee! Look at that tree! by Ben Knight

When a sapling begins to grow amongst all the other little trees, it grows in a different direction. It is derided for its difference, and a range of lovely words is used to describe its variation. The sapling is called unusual, delusional, confusable, unusable, but in the end it is its difference that saves it and gives it a wonderful role when all the other trees are gone.

The stunning illustrations framed by the white edging on every page, stand out and will cause readers to look more closely at what is being presented. Larger illustrations show straight tall trees reaching for the sky, dwarfing the sapling and its bent form. The story progresses showing the difference between the two types of trees, one growing up and the other taking a different turn. Created digitally, the amazing images of the trees will cause reader to take a look at the trees in their lives, noting possibly the paucity of them, but also their differences. Those growing straight and tall are grown for a purpose and this becomes the fate of the majority of the trees in this book.

All the trees have a red tick placed on their trunks, showing that they should be cut down ready for use.

The little bent tree does not have the right characteristics and because of its variance, remains in its place.

When the trees are marked and cut down the illustrations change from a framed image on each page, to an image which flows over the double page, stark in its presentation. On one double page is a swathe of red marked trees, and the next double page shows them all cut down, a most confronting image. An image which is made impactful because of the sepia tone, its placement and design.

The next images for the rest of the book show the little bent tree surrounded by a city, and because of its difference, it is not only the last tree standing, but is given a new role in its life, as children from the apartments find it is there just waiting for them to play on. Now the word unusual has a different emphasis, leading to perfect and beautiful.

Celebrating difference and understanding that difference is something which requires vigilance will help younger readers recognise that we are all different.

I loved the rhyming sequences, many words coming as a surprise. Word play will attract younger readers who will predict lines coming up, and be surprised at some of the words used to describe the little tree. And the illustrations are simply stunning.

Themes: Difference, Trees, Humour, Rhyme.

Fran Knight