The Tree and the River [Hardcover]

A spectacular time-lapse portrait of humankind—and our impact on the natural world—from a Caldecott Honor–winning master of the wordless form

In an alternate past—or possible future—a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of time and change. A family farms the fertile valley. Soon, a village sprouts, and not long after, a town. Residents learn to harness the water, the wind, and the animals in order to survive and thrive. The growing population becomes ever more industrious and clever, bending nature itself to their will and their ambition: redirecting rivers, harvesting lumber, reshaping the land, even extending daylight itself. . . .

The Tree and the River is an epic time-lapse reimagining of human civilization from a master of the wordless form, and a thought-provoking meditation on the relationship between two mighty forces: nature and humankind.Having established himself as a picture-book creator unafraid of taking the long view, Becker offers an oddly comforting look at how wars, floods, and humanity itself can pass in just a blink of an eye. . . . Look upon this work, ye mighty picture-book creators, and despair. A stunning accomplishment.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Esteemed illustrator of wordless books, Aaron Becker, presents a new offering which takes on the environment and industrialization. . . . Whether using this as a lap book where the reader can appreciate the details of each setting or as a commentary on the importance of being good stewards of the land, this title serves as a beautifully crafted cautionary tale.
—School Library Connection (starred review)

In this spectacular wordless tale that takes a long view of time’s passing,lh