Review by Booklist Review
Sophia's sophomore picture book introduces the eponymous Willow as a graceful, dewy-eyed anthropomorphic being with sinewy limbs and flowing tresses of greenery, whose roots are set at a lake rimmed with purple mountains. Willow serenely withstands the regular ebb and flow of weather and seasons--tolerating birds' nests and insects' eggs--until a spectacular storm threatens to break not just her limbs but also her will. Though battered, the tree creature is inspired to persevere, affirmed by a cheerful flock of butter-yellow birds who attend her. Gestural brush work, loosely decorated with spots and strands of delineated leaf shapes, defines the tree's foliage as a flowing head of hair; linework over painterly color articulates whorls of bark in Willow's outstretched arms, as well as in the rhythms of pulsing rain and furious waters. Dynamic, dramatic spreads are punctuated by small wordless vignettes paced to sequence Willow's uneven progress toward ultimate peace. The impressionistic imagery suits the expressive poetry of this short, lyrical tale, depicting resilience in a fantasy world that's still subject to the vicissitudes of nature.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A tree happily prevails. Narrated in gentle, lilting verse, this sweet Australian import tells the story of a strong, "proud and tall" green willow whose twisted trunk is deeply rooted within the soil. The tree is portrayed as a graceful, wide-eyed, green-faced creation adorned in long, leafy, green fronds. Following a fearsome storm, she springs magnificently to life again. In the aftermath of the terrifying experience, the willow is stronger and more confident than ever, conveying a hopeful message about nature triumphantly reclaiming and renewing itself--appropriate, since the willow is home to numerous creatures such as birds and butterflies. This optimistic takeaway will also leave readers eager to look on the positive side after enduring their own setbacks. A page that requires a 90-degree turn depicts the willow standing proud and erect after the event. "And while she'll never be the same, she steels her roots once more. She's stronger than before"--a nod, perhaps, to climate change. The final scene depicts a lovely, smiling willow looking toward a rainbow. The handsome illustrations are mostly rendered in a limited palette of greens, browns, pale blues, and grays, but the robust greens happily triumph in the end, for nature has won out. An ultimately hopeful glimpse at the natural world.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
