The Last Tree

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 13, 2017

Review

An allegorical tale about the danger of losing the beauty of the natural world to progress and building. A boy delights in his father's stories of a boyhood spent rolling in the green grass. In order to find this green himself, the boy must look at books for the only grass in his world is a small patch 17 blades big. The boy's best friend stumbles upon a tiny tree, the last tree, and when they hear that another luxury condo complex is being built on the tree's lot, they know that they have to save it. They dig up the tree and replant it in a place where it does actually grow into a large tree and the beauty of it, standing alone on a page with gray buildings in the background is a stark reminder of the necessity of preserving nature. Chabbert and Guridi, once again, team up to illuminate a truth that is worth reminding even the youngest of readers (and their parents, hopefully) that nature is important and that children can make a difference. A lovely, quiet book that is worth adding to any public or school library collection.

Overall Book Score: very good