Maple

Maple & Willow

by Lori Nichols

Lori Nichols’ enchanting debut features an irresistible, free-spirited, nature-loving little girl who greets the changing seasons and a new sibling with arms wide open.

When Maple is tiny, her parents plant a maple tree in her honor. She and her tree grow up together, and even though a tree doesn’t always make an ideal playmate, it doesn’t mind when Maple is in the mood to be loud—which is often. Then Maple becomes a big sister, and finds that babies have their loud days, too. Fortunately, Maple and her beloved tree know just what the baby needs.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Nature, Fiction, Storytime, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2014

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guided by endless imagination, all while enjoying the wonders of nature around her, Maple moves through the seasons of life with anticipation and joy as to what a new season might bring. A heartwarming story of friendship, love, and family bonds.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely beginning book about trees and a new little baby coming into the family. Life was great for Maple. She loved her maple tree who was planted when she was conceived. She played with it all year long. The cutest was in Fall; she thought the tree looked cold with no leaves so she tired her jacket on. Maple’s parents plant a Willow tree and Maple gets a sister.

One of the things I love about this is that Maple would lay beneath her tree and look up into the tree as the leaves waved back and forth. I used to do that. I would look at the sun coming through the canopy and the light would sparkle. They were great times for me.

The niece loves trees and plants too and she thought this was a good book. She read it to the nephew. She gave this book 3 stars and the nephew was rather bored by this and he gave this 2 stars. He was waiting for something to happen. He said, the parents could have made a robot for the girl to play with.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last 1 ½ to 2 years I’ve been much less enthusiastic about writing book reviews. I usually still review novels and most full length non-fiction books, but even though I thought writing reviews could be helpful for some readers, I’ve almost ceased to write reviews for vegan cookbooks, art books, and picture books. But after rereading this one a few times, and loving it more with every reread, I decided I should say at least a few words about it.

I’m also happy to see that there is a sequel, and I’ve reserved it at the library.

The pictures here are just enchanting. Very simple but very pretty and they tell the story just as well as the words do.

I love the character Maple, how sweet and kind and thoughtful she is. I enjoyed the imaginative and free form play in which she engages. The story is fun, and funny. I laughed a bit, smiled a lot. I enjoyed the love of nature that shines through the pages, and also the showing of the seasons and of outdoor play.

It’s a particularly fun book to read aloud. I read it aloud (without visuals, though I described some of them) to an adult friend and she loved the book too. I would thoroughly enjoy reading this one to a child/children.

It’s a fine book for anyone but particularly apropos for children whose families are about to have a new baby/child in the family and children who appreciate nature and using their imaginations.

[sAmAnE · Rating 4 out of 5]

چند سالیه مد شده وقتی کسی فوت میکنه براش درخت میکارن، این کتاب در مورد درخت کاشتن وقت تولد بود.

[Sarah Far · Rating 3 out of 5]

درخت‌هارو دوست بداریم.
و بچه‌هارو با انواع درختان آشنا کنیم 😍🌴🌳

[Astiazh · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب جالبی بود،دخترک ما که خوشش اومد.

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful.

I want to read this every morning to inspire me to appreciate the trees.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

”On some days, when the wind was just right,
Maple would simply lie under her tree,
And its leaves would dance just for her.”


Maple by Lori Nichols is such a peaceful read. I could feel the cool from the tree’s shadow and hear the quiet rustle of the leaves.

Our story revolves around two Maples—a playful little girl and her tree. Maple loves spending time under her tree. From season to season, it’s always there for her. But when her parents surprise her with a new baby sister, Maple soon realizes the true joy and responsibility of standing tall for the ones we love.

I have to gush about these pictures. Every page is filled with breathtaking little details! The soft brown strands of hair, furry scarves, and the little faces of the animals and toys in the corners. The colors and details are gorgeous! Soft, glowing illustrations that inspire and portray such beauty and peace.

A beautiful tale about sharing, family and nature.

Recommended read.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

آدم دلش می‌خواهد اسمش را عوض کند و بگذارد افرا!
والا.


وقتی افرا در راه است (در راه آمدن به این دنیا!) مادر و پدرش یک درخت افرای کوچک بیرون خانه می‌کارند. افرا با درختش همزمان قد می‌کشند و حسابی با هم خوشند.
اما جای یک چیزی خالی است. حتی شاید جای دو چیز یا یک چیز و یک کس!
پس بید کوچک از راه می‌رسد. حدوداً همان وقتی که یک درخت بید کوچک کنار درخت افرای افرا سبز می‌شود.

کتابی شیرین با تصاویری لطیف. مناسب خواهردارها و خواهرندارها (برای این که حسرت بخورند!)
و مناسب عاشقان درخت‌ها (خودتان را معرفی کنید تا با هم یک گروه بسازیم!)

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

Тук Мотче, там Мот, и ето, че се появи издателство „Мармот”! Там ще откриете Мотовете, елена Вундаба с красивите рога, и хвъркатия „Кико без крила“, при когото съвсем наскоро кацна почетната награда „Бисерче вълшебно”. Но ето, „Мармот”-чето реши, че освен забавните и нежни приказки на Радостина Николова иска да представи на българските деца и други нови илюстрирани истории! Първата от тях е пленителната книжка „Явора”, написана и нарисувана от талантливата Лори Никълс, която се съгласява специално да адаптира своите илюстрации за българските деца! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Ala Pak · Rating 5 out of 5]

«و اتفاق سحر آمیزی افتاد؛
درخت افرا برای هردوی آن‌ها رقصید!
و زیر آن درخت٬ به اندازه‌ی کافی جا برای افرا و خواهر کوچکش٬ بید... بود.»
____________________________
داستان راجع به یه دختر کوچولو و مهربونه‌ که همبازی‌ش یه درخته. اون عاشق درخته، فصل‌هایی که برگاش می‌ریزه غصه می‌خوره و جایی فکر می‌کنه شاید خود درخت هم ازش خسته شده. تا اینکه مامانش یه نینی میاره که همبازی جدیدش می‌شه.

پ.ن۱: این کتاب توجه کردن به خواهر کوچیک‌تر و اهمیت قایل شدن برای طبیعت رو خیلی قشنگ به بچه‌ها یاد می‌ده.
پ.ن۲: اگه یه روز حق انتخاب داشتم، قطعا درخت می‌شدم. 🌲🌳

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, sweet story about a child growing apace with her namesake tree. Nothing extraordinary here, no aliens or talking bunnies, but this book does remind us of a very important task of childhood: playing alone, or sometimes, just being, under a tree in the breeze.

[Jenn Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing and heartwarming story with beautiful illustrations.


Sidenote: This would make a lovely gift to a younger child expecting a new sibling.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one amazing debut picture book. Maple loved her name. When she was a baby, her parents had planted a maple tree in their yard. It was tiny just like her and as Maple grew so did the maple tree. Her tree never minded if she was loud even though her parents did sometimes. Maple loved to be outside with her tree. She would sway along with it, pretend to be a tree and spend time gazing up into its branches and leaves. When the tree lost its leaves in the fall, Maple gave it her coat to keep it warm. Throughout the winter, the two played together. Then in the spring, there were new surprises! A new tree in the ground and a new baby in the family. It is Maple who figures out exactly what to do to keep her new sister happy.

Clever and very satisfying, this book is an exceptional debut. Nichols sets just the right tone with her prose. From the very first page, you know that she understands children’s books and the way to structure and write them. The story is clearly presented and the arc of the tale is nicely plotted and designed. One knows that it is building towards something, but the book is willing to take the right amount of time to get there. The book reads like a veteran author wrote it.

The illustrations are also impressive. They have a lovely softness to them that is very pleasing. The colors are muted but very effective. My favorite pages are when Maple looks up into the tree and you see her through the leaves. It is all beautifully done.

Take it from someone who named one of her children after a tree and then planted one for him to grow up with, this book captures children, love for nature and new siblings with grace and style. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet and lovely story about a young girl's friendship with the special tree that was planted in her honor. This would be a great title for introducing children to the concept of change, as Maple discovers all the wonders to be had by each changing season, and also prepares for a big surprise in her own life.

With beautiful illustrations by the author.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous picture book about a little tyke and the tree she was named after. The illustrations capture the full-to-bursting-ness of childhood, and remind us how captivating everything is from that height. But best of all, we are charmed by Maple's joy in welcoming her new sibling-playmate.

www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, just wish picture book families didn't default to being white so often.

[Milena Tasheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прочетох я в колата на Алекс. Чудесна е, а адаптацията на български - повече от вълшебна. Браво, издателство Мармот :)

[Fatemehshahvari · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلی گوگولی بوددد:')
دو روز پیش توئیت کردم: درخت ارغوان می‌خوام.
الان بیشتر درخت‌ ارغوان می‌خوام 🥺💔

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and sweet! When Maple is born, her family plants a tree for her. As she grows, so does the tree. They play together, experience winter together, and learn about their world. One day, a small tree pops up and Maple learns that she is going to be a big sister. The new baby arrives and Maple learns to be a big sister, sharing her tree and teaching her sister about the world. The final pages reveal that the baby and the new tree are Willow.

Lovely illustrations with a very sweet big sister theme.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is picture book is about a little girl named after a tree. The first part of the book shows her having fun with the tree. As she grows, so does the tree. Then, her parents plant another tree, coinciding with the arrival of her baby sister.

This book is adorable! I am pregnant with our second child, and we read this aloud to our 4 year-old son. This book would be terrific for others to read to an older sibling, or to any child. The illustrations are terrific too.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid loves it. Good book to prepare the kid to be a big brother or big sister.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is beautiful!!

[Sadia Mansoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such adorable illustrations of a simple story! (Y)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XanJ...

[Мария Змийчарова · Rating 4 out of 5]

чудесна

(само си мисля, че вместо на предпоследната страница да има преразказ на всичко досега – текст, който е по-скоро за задната корица или обложката – там можеше да разкажат как Лори Никълс специално е нарисувала калина за българското издание – в оригинала сестричката е Уилоу/върба, а този симпатичен жест от страна на авторката и "Мармот" може да се забрави и да остане неизвестен за бъдещите читатели, по-отдалечени във времето от момента на излизането тук и интервютата около него)

[Zoha Mortazavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

برای وقتی که کودکتان انس نمیگیرد با خواهر/برادر نورسیده‌اش.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story! Maple gets her name from a maple tree her parents planted in her honor. She grows up with the tree and it becomes an important part of her life. And just as she notices a new seed growing, she gets to experience having a new baby sister, and see this little life grow! Maple helps take care of her new little sister, Willow, and shares the outside and her special tree with her. But the new little seed has grown and we see it is a willow tree.
The story is sweet, but what got me are the illustrations. They are absolutely beautiful! I will spend many rereads of this book, specifically looking at the illustrations!
I can't wait to see the sequel to this book!

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maple often finds solace in the tree her parents planted in her honor before she was even born, but sometimes things get lonely with just a tree for a playmate. When her baby sister is born, Maple swears to be a great big sibling -- even if it means sharing her own special maple tree.

Maple is a lovely testament to the bond between sisters. It's sweet enough to bring tears to my eyes each time without being overly cloying. The illustrations are adorable and match the text perfectly. Highly recommended for any kids who are about to have younger siblings -- especially girls who will soon have baby sisters.

[Heather C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweetest children's book I've read in a long time. Maple, who shares a name with the kind of tree her parents planted while they were still pregnant with her (in the book it says, "...when she was still just a whisper" but I just simply can't read that to my preschoolers--a little too weird) is a happy and creative little girl. The story hints at the tender ending enough that even on the first reading with my little class they began to guess the 'surprise'. The illustrations are adorable. Darling book.

[Maggie KutsBorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lori Nichols chose the Japanese maple for this book, and Japanese maple leaves (especially in summer green) look exactly like pot leaves. It's otherwise a sweet and lovely book about a new sibling and enjoying nature, but that illustration choice is pretty jarring. Crossing my fingers that I won't have complaints from patrons when they see this book where a little girl hugs, twirls with, and generally is surrounded by pot leaves!