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The Tree in Me
A stunning and sensitive portrait of the strength within each of us and the nourishment we receive from the natural world, by the New York Times bestselling creator of the acclaimed My Heart and The Book of Mistakes
Through poetic text and exquisite illustrations of children reveling in nature, this picture book explores the various ways we as human beings are strong, creative, and connected to others. Each of us is like a tree, with roots and fruit, and an enduring link to everything else in nature. The tree in me is strong. It bends in the wind, and has roots that go deep . . . to where other roots reach up toward their own trunk-branch-crown and sky.
As Corinna Luyken did in her award-winning My Heart, she again provides an invigorating conversation-starter that contains a world of truths--about self-esteem, community, and living a meaningful life.
Through poetic text and exquisite illustrations of children reveling in nature, this picture book explores the various ways we as human beings are strong, creative, and connected to others. Each of us is like a tree, with roots and fruit, and an enduring link to everything else in nature. The tree in me is strong. It bends in the wind, and has roots that go deep . . . to where other roots reach up toward their own trunk-branch-crown and sky.
As Corinna Luyken did in her award-winning My Heart, she again provides an invigorating conversation-starter that contains a world of truths--about self-esteem, community, and living a meaningful life.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Corinna Luyken
13 books177 followers Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of the New York Times Best Seller, MY HEART, as well as THE ARGUERS (Spring 2025); ABC AND YOU AND ME (A Dolly Parton Imagination Library selection); THE TREE IN ME (an NCTE Notable Poetry Book and Indie Bestseller); and THE BOOK OF MISTAKES (which The Wall Street Journal called “sublime”). She is also the illustrator of many award winning picture books including IN THE DARK (A Marginalian Best Book of 2023) written by Kate Hoefler; PATCHWORK (A New York Times and Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2022), written by Matt de la Peña; and ADRIAN SIMCOX DOES NOT HAVE A HORSE (A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and Comstock-Gag Read Aloud Book Award) written by Marcy Campbell.
She was raised in Oregon, California, and Hawaii; and studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College in Vermont. Her work is rooted in improvisation and explores themes of connection, perception, and misperception.
She lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she also likes to dig in the dirt, surf, and read with a cat (or two) on her lap. You can see more of her work at www.corinnaluyken.com
She was raised in Oregon, California, and Hawaii; and studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College in Vermont. Her work is rooted in improvisation and explores themes of connection, perception, and misperception.
She lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she also likes to dig in the dirt, surf, and read with a cat (or two) on her lap. You can see more of her work at www.corinnaluyken.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
March 26, 2021
This definitely falls into the category of a picture book written for adults. While the illustrations are really breathtaking and gorgeous, the text is a very abstract metaphor about the multifaceted nature of who we are as individuals. Even reading the description on Good Reads makes it sound like a book for a philosophy class!
July 7, 2023
Very similar to other tree books published in 2021; Beatrice Was a Tree, My Tree, Be a Tree!, etc.
Could it be we're all like trees?
Could it be that we're all alike because we are all like trees?
Find out in this story that reminds me of all my favorite colors from a 1970s florescent crayons box.
Could it be we're all like trees?
Could it be that we're all alike because we are all like trees?
Find out in this story that reminds me of all my favorite colors from a 1970s florescent crayons box.
July 23, 2021
The Tree in Me is a picturebook poem about our connection with nature and each other.
Corinna Luyken's text is sparse yet lyrical, but I didn't really get it. Yes, I understand what the poem is supposed to be about (mostly, thanks to the book description, haha) but I didn't really feel its deeper meaning while reading the book, if you know what I mean.
The illustrations in The Tree in Me are lovely but there's way too much neon pink for my taste (I wish the images in the hard copy looked more like the digital images I've posted below, i.e., not as neon). Also, I'm not a huge fan of black circles for eyes. It reminds me of Coraline and creeps me out a little.
Corinna Luyken's text is sparse yet lyrical, but I didn't really get it. Yes, I understand what the poem is supposed to be about (mostly, thanks to the book description, haha) but I didn't really feel its deeper meaning while reading the book, if you know what I mean.
The illustrations in The Tree in Me are lovely but there's way too much neon pink for my taste (I wish the images in the hard copy looked more like the digital images I've posted below, i.e., not as neon). Also, I'm not a huge fan of black circles for eyes. It reminds me of Coraline and creeps me out a little.
December 22, 2021
The Tree in Me is aesthetically pleasing with such simplicity. Love Love love!!! Depicts interconnected of every living thing. 🌸💐🧚🏻♀️🌞🌳🌷
April 27, 2021
ইলাস্ট্রেশন কি যে সুন্দরররররর!
November 1, 2023
Utterly gorgeous. A love letter to trees and all the things that connect us.
Read
June 5, 2021This one felt like a gentle breeze which can soothe your soul! Books with illustration! My all time favourites!
May 7, 2021
the tree in me is a beautiful illustration of a beautiful thought. Something very simple and so in front of the eye but yet we forget to see it. Among all these mess, we all deserve this beautiful reminder from this book.
February 21, 2021
Total whoa.
November 9, 2022
“The tree in me is strong. It bends in the wind, and has roots that go deep."
The ilustration is so mesmerizing. I really love Corinna Luyken artwork.
The ilustration is so mesmerizing. I really love Corinna Luyken artwork.
April 22, 2021
The Tree in Me is a beautiful poem, a joyous celebration, a glorious tribute to the interconnectedness of all living things.
May 23, 2025
*cries in abstract and contradictory metaphors*
The illustrations are vibrant and full of movement, but the text had me popping up new question marks on each page as it switched manically between various potential metaphors and seemed to be trying to encompass them all simultaneously.
I would not read this to a child.
2.5 stars: 1.5 for the text and 3 for the illustrations.
The illustrations are vibrant and full of movement, but the text had me popping up new question marks on each page as it switched manically between various potential metaphors and seemed to be trying to encompass them all simultaneously.
I would not read this to a child.
2.5 stars: 1.5 for the text and 3 for the illustrations.
May 3, 2021
Lovely concept beautifully conveyed.
June 23, 2021
3.5 for illustrations.
January 17, 2025
This book is gorgeous but I'm not sure I understand it.
November 18, 2024
A simple book, but currently my favorite for Fern. The illustrations are magnificent and the words are beautiful. I want every page posted on my walls!
March 14, 2021
I don't know how Corinna Luyken consistently puts out these amazing beautiful books that are perfect combinations of story (and message) and stunning illustrations. I'm sure you'll fall in love with this book once you get your hands on it.
May 15, 2021
A child rhapsodizes in gratitude to the wonder and beauty of trees -- of what it gives and how it is a part of us all. This is a glorious celebration to nature and how we connect to it. A beautiful book to read before a nature walk.
June 4, 2021
Gorgeous! Though it took me a couple of reads to fully get it, so wonder how kids will grasp the metaphor and react to it.
Read
January 25, 2022“The tree in me is strong. It bends in the wind, and has roots that go deep . . . to where other roots reach up toward their own trunk-branch-crown and sky.”
The Tree in Me is a beautiful and allegorical tale that follows a young girl describing the “tree” within her. She describes the tree in all its glory, and goes through the different aspects that complete her. Through simple yet elegant descriptions of nature, the girl is seen exploring the tree and the world around her. The pictures are full of warm colors of pink, yellow, and orange to capture the beauty of nature.
Reading this book was like receiving a warm hug. The story felt symbolic and familiar, like an old folk tale you’d hear as a young child. While reading, I felt like the story was being told to me by the side of a campfire: simple and eloquent. All the pictures transported me to the days when I would climb trees in the backyard, playing in the dirt and rain, and I saw my young self falling in love with the story. Through decadent descriptions of fruit, sun, and branches, I felt the tree in me being nourished with a truly exquisite story. We all have a beautiful tree within us, and it was lovely to be reminded of that.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
The Tree in Me is a beautiful and allegorical tale that follows a young girl describing the “tree” within her. She describes the tree in all its glory, and goes through the different aspects that complete her. Through simple yet elegant descriptions of nature, the girl is seen exploring the tree and the world around her. The pictures are full of warm colors of pink, yellow, and orange to capture the beauty of nature.
Reading this book was like receiving a warm hug. The story felt symbolic and familiar, like an old folk tale you’d hear as a young child. While reading, I felt like the story was being told to me by the side of a campfire: simple and eloquent. All the pictures transported me to the days when I would climb trees in the backyard, playing in the dirt and rain, and I saw my young self falling in love with the story. Through decadent descriptions of fruit, sun, and branches, I felt the tree in me being nourished with a truly exquisite story. We all have a beautiful tree within us, and it was lovely to be reminded of that.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
March 31, 2021
Just gorgeous. I love the poetry and how this story shows that we can be a connected culture— to the environment and to each other. I think it will give children a chance to reflect on how compassion and understanding works. The art also just made me feel so much!! It reminds me of Molly Costello’s papercut art on interconnected-ness.
February 20, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Edelweiss.
This book is stunning. The dreamy artwork is woven around words that illuminate the nature within us - seeing the beauty within and in others. The message is lovely, heartwarming, and hopeful. I hope to share this with many of my patrons, young and old.
This book is stunning. The dreamy artwork is woven around words that illuminate the nature within us - seeing the beauty within and in others. The message is lovely, heartwarming, and hopeful. I hope to share this with many of my patrons, young and old.
April 5, 2021
The illustrations are my favorite aspect of this! It's not my favorite text (ultimately, it's a whole "Circle of Life" vibe). But the illustrations make this a look through
April 14, 2021
Absolutely stunning. I want to frame pages and hang them on a wall.
April 23, 2021
This book was a delight, had a wonderful message and beautiful illustrations!
May 20, 2021
I'm struggling with this review because this book reads like an airy idea, like poetry. Something so lofty, so idealistic, so beautiful doesn't seem like it is meant for all to understand. This is the kind of beautiful book that people give as presents at showers and graduation presents and that doesn't get read again but sits on a table or on a shelf languishing.
I wonder if this idea could be used as a writing exercise so that it could be understood? Maybe I do not give it enough credit. The illustrations are exquisite. They resonate and come alive off the page.
I wonder if this idea could be used as a writing exercise so that it could be understood? Maybe I do not give it enough credit. The illustrations are exquisite. They resonate and come alive off the page.
September 9, 2021
I love the art in this one! I was surprised to find I liked the neon pink and orange, although those aren't usually colors I'm drawn to.
December 18, 2021
The simple and exquisite text and gorgeous artwork make this a winner. I found myself rereading it to relish in the vibrancy and metaphors all over again.
January 22, 2022
I'm sure I will get tired of neon-hued children's books someday, but today is not that day!
February 20, 2022
A lovely children’s book with eye catching art. I gave 4 stars from the perspective of the young reader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews