Little Pear Tree

by Jenny Bowers (Illustrations), Rachel Williams

Watch as a tiny seed grows through the seasons into a fine pear tree in this beautifully presented first book from Jenny Bowers. This format showcases vibrant artwork with more than twenty-five flaps that you lift to discover creatures hidden in every scene. The charming text makes this the perfect interactive primer to a key scientific topic.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Animals, Science

12 pages, Board Book

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Jenny Bowers is one-tenth of the U.K.-based illustration collective Peepshow. Her work all starts with a paintbrush and a tube of black paint. Her clients include AOL, Bloomingdales, Elle Decoration, the Guardian, Samsung, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Reviews

[Alli]

I read this book in the Finnish translation. It was cute. Sadly, for some reason, Finnish translation picture books are in weird poetic language. This makes it difficult for beginning FSL readers to understand books that should be easily understood.

The vocabulary under the flaps were really good. And the illustrations were cute.

[The Unschoolers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down. We LOVE all books by Big Picture Press but this one is a little meh. The illustrations are GORGEOUS but is geared towards a younger audience than what I expected. Great little book for looking under the flaps and naming what we see but the actual story isn't anything to write home about.

[Bibimbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfathomably gorgeous illustrations, "meh" rhyming text.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty book about a pear tree during the different seasons.

[The Littlest Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is official. This is the most beautiful board book. It is so refreshing to find a board book with sophisticated and elegant illustrations targeting young learners. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

'Little Tree' follows the growth of a little seed throughout the year as it grows to become a tree and change with the seasons. A mature tree is shown on the left of every spread and becomes the anchor point for each new illustration. The little tree is shown in the same location on the right side of every new illustration, however it grows and changes with each new season.

Similar to other non-fiction books that I have reviewed like Saisons and Nature's Day, this book highlights the cyclical nature of the seasons. With each turn of the page the reader is able to see how the tree has grown. Every double spread is a different kind of colourful and is filled with a stunning array of gorgeous details particular to each new season. The illustrations are teamed with a gentle rhyming text that summarises the change of the season and focuses the young reader's attention to the key changes of the little pear tree.

This charming board book has over 20 flaps. Each flap within the illustration hides a number of gorgeous details within each page such as an beetle, rain, nest, cocoon, spider, antlers, worm, owl, seed. As a non-fiction text, the flaps work to label the hidden items and educate the reader on the distinct features of each new season. I love that one flap is located over the same hollow within the mature tree trunk on every page. Bowers uses this sweet detail to demonstrate the changing use of this hollow as the seasons change - a birds nest with eggs and then chicks in spring, a bird roost in summer, an acorn store for a squirrel in autumn and a home for a mouse and insects in the winter.

Illustrations are overlaid blocks of colour and the elegant flaps become an additional block allowing each flap to be beautifully incorporated in to the illustration of each page. This is another brilliant publication from Big Picture Press and a beautiful and interactive book for the little ones in your life.

Photos of the book can be reviewed on my website.
http://www.thelittlestlibrary.com/rev...

[Ting Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is appropriate for ages 2 to 5 in early childhood classrooms. The book “Little Pear Tree” talks about a pear tree through the seasons. When the winter comes, the little pear waits patiently grow. The weather of winter is cold. The trees have not leaves or fruits. It is hard for flowers and grasses to survive. But they have hope and dream. They haven’t lost their life. Although the time of snow is very long, the spring will come someday. The patience and faithfulness are important for them to live. When the spring comes, the flowers are blooming in bright and beauty, and the tiny seed shoots bravely out. When the summer comes, the little golden sun raises in the east. The little pear tree filled with pride and puts on its glorious feast. When the fall comes, the little pear tree stands at rest and awaiting autumn’s call. When the winter comes again, the little pear tree once again takes a long break. I like this book very much. It provides beautiful pictures and traditional rhyming. It helps children to enjoy the beauty of each seasons. Children will probably be able to find the difference of each seasons. This book is poetic introduction for the four seasons to children. I believe that most children are interested in this book. This is a good choice for the teacher to teach children about the nature of this world.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming book that takes readers through the seasons of the year while observing the changes in the little pear tree.

Text read like poetry and flaps reveal creatures and vocabulary waiting to be discovered. Digital illustrations use a vibrant color palette and each flap is shaped like a leaf, flower, raindrop etc.

Great nature book to explore with toddler and preK worthy of gift book status.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lift the flaps to follow the adventures blossoms, bugs, and other creatures that live and grow around a pear tree throughout the changing seasons. While the rhyming prose is sparse and lyrical, and traditionally great for a storytime, the "flap" designs translate better in a more intimate, one-on-one reading session. Very trendy and "twee", the illustrations are a perfect hip mash-up of Charlie Harper meets Lois Ehlert. Recommended for purchase.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A plethora of flaps fill the digitally created illustrations of this lovely book, allowing readers to read them and note words and the wonders of nature. The colors and changes in the pear tree allow young readers to notice the subtle changes over time as each season passes. I like the fact that young readers can learn words as they lift the flaps too.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for kids; the illustrations are lovely and the interactive flaps are always a hit with preschoolers. However, the text is a bit stilted in its rhyming at times, and could be more accessible for children in the age group. The rhythm is a little off on some of the pages, which is the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. But it is a lovely enough book and definitely a keeper.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are stunning. Then the design of the lift the flaps adds to the beauty. When shared together, both parent and child will learn vocabulary, enjoy the seek and find aspect, and be able to share a conversation about the seasons.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A board book with twenty-five flaps giving young children a lovely introduction to natural wonders.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book. I can't bring myself to shelve this with our board books. With its seemingly delicate flaps, it screams "destroy me."

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A larger board book that I might use next year for a PJ Story time about trees. It has flaps so would work only with small groups or one on one. Follows a little pear tree through the year.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and charming.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations but FLAPS (librarian nightmare!)

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. I can see pouring over it with a little one on your lap and discovering all the lovely surprises under the flaps. It could also be read with small groups I think.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Engaging large format board book with many flaps to let the reader explore the wonder of the seasons. The illustrations are beautifully colored. Charming.

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so pretty, plus I love flaps, plus it's about a tree and also the paper is really nice. It isn't really a board book.

[Sandy D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the flaps (really clever use of leaves, etc.), really liked the illustrations, and thought the text was ok.

[Deb]

"pieni puu" sadly, a library book with ripped off flaps mean you miss words. pretty art.