Maple

November 18, 2013
Debut talent Nichols explores the relationship between a girl and the tree she’s named after, planted by her parents in her honor. It’s less a story than a string of
affectionate reminiscences: “And even though Flavia, Millie Jane, Lena, Lily, and Constance were all good names... Maple was the perfect fit.” Maple sings and dances for her tree and offers her coat to it when it loses its leaves. In return, the tree offers shade, “and its leaves would dance just for her.” A new sapling appears along with a new baby sister, Willow, whom Maple is old enough to welcome without jealousy. Nichols draws Maple as a sort of everygirl, with pin-dot eyes, a pert nose, and a curved line for a smile; her tree and its surroundings are similarly generalized. The narrator’s voice, by contrast, has its own distinctive, understated humor: “Then something really surprising happened,” one page reads, as Maple notices her mother’s bulging middle for the first time. An exploration of different kinds of love and different kinds of acceptance. Ages 3–5. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media.

September 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-When Maple was "still a whisper," her parents planted a tree in her honor, and "as Maple grew, so did her tree." This beautiful story about a young girl who shares her name with a beloved tree is delightful. Through the changing seasons and ultimately the arrival of Maple's brand new sibling, Willow, Maple and her tree face every difficulty together with optimism and determination. Stina Nielsen easily captures the essence of the story with light, melodic tones and flawless pacing that allows listeners a chance to absorb the message. Included on the CD are two versions of the story: one with accompanying page-turn signals to assist younger readers and one without. VERDICT This enjoyable story will appeal to young nature lovers, those looking for books about welcoming a new addition to the family, or acceptance in general. Recommended for public library collections.-Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

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