The More You Give

Several generations grow up--and out--in this philosophically generous reboot of The Giving Tree. In the story's first spread, a boy and his grandmother appear as tiny figures crossing an empty field, portrayed from afar by Sanna (Move, Mr Mountain!) in an image that resonates with themes of manifold maturation that's better perceived from a distance. In atmospheric snapshots of successive adult- child relationships across generations, the creators trace legacies of love: a grandmother gives her grandson both acorns ("tiny and shy, with wild and woolly caps") and "the gift of patience," and her counsel later helps the boy endure her death. The oak tree they plant grows along with him, and when he has a child of his own, they plant another. "Love," he tells her, "even when given to the smallest of things, can... grow bigger than she could ever imagine." A third generation carries the planting further as the field turns into a well-loved forest. Long horizons and magnificent trees in saturated shades give depth to flat, crisp-edged figures of various skin tones, while Campbell's (Something Good) language exemplifies deep trust and perfect safety--and the importance of cultivating care both interpersonally and with the natural world. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. (Aug.)