Little Tree

This beautifully crafted pop-up book shows the growth, seasons, and life-cycle of a tree. The story expands ever so subtly, with tightly hewn text and soft shadows on the pages that hint at the tree's changing surroundings as it grows. Rendered in pop-up form, the tree begins as a small seedling, barely noticeable amid the snow, and grows a little with each turn of the page. Soon it is a tall specimen in full leaf, changing color with the seasons. Years go by, and then it is gone. Somewhere a new seedling begins to grow. When something we expect always to be there disappears, we realize the significance of its presence. But even as it expresses this sense of loss, the book ends on a note that resonates with hope. The minimalist design by an internationally known artist draws readers in with its quiet power. Author Katsumi Komagata appeals to the senses in poetically spare language and with careful attention to every detail: the changing shape of the growing tree, its color, the shading of the background, even the weight and texture of the paper—such slight nuances shape our perceptions. The book was published simultaneously in Japan and France, and the text is provided in Japanese, French, and English.