Call Me Tree: Llamame Arbol
(Bilingual English/Spanish)

PreS-Gr 2--This bilingual story is an anthem to the innate strength and individuality of children and trees. As a tree is nurtured so is a child. Both begin as seeds striving for expression as they break free and reach for the sky: "I dream/I am reaching/Dreaming and reaching/Reaching and dreaming." Double-page spreads in watercolor, ink, and colored pencil are bright and whimsical featuring pink clouds and curlicue stars. The children depicted reflect the diversity of humanity, just as the different species of trees reflect the natural world of which they are an essential part. The text is slight but lyrical and reads well both in English and in Spanish. Many of the children are portrayed in variations of the yoga tree pose--providing an opportunity for inquisitive readers to ask questions in regards to yoga and its practice. Gonzalez's art and text invite reader participation on multiple levels, thereby appealing to a wider audience.--Mary Margaret Mercado, Pima County Public Library, Tucson, AZ