Sylvia Rose and the Cherry Tree

Since her childhood in a Maine coastal forest, SANDY SHAPIRO-HURT (Cape Elizabeth, ME) has been passionate about ecology and the abundant life the forest supports. She left Maine to pursue careers in the feature film industry and in event design and planning, but has returned to her roots with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of chickens. Sylvia Rose and the Cherry Tree is her first children’s book. XINDI YAN (Brooklyn, NY) left behind hersmall city in China, traveling thousands of miles to New York City to realizeher dream of being a published artist. She received her BFA in Illustrationfrom Pratt Institute in 2013 and has since worked as an illustrator for thegaming industry and children’s media. She is currently a freelance children’sbook artist.

"In singsong rhyming couplets, Sylvia Rose skips and twirls along a path in the wood to the big cherry tree where she prances and dances with her woodland friends. When the great cherry tree explains how much it would love to dance with them, Sylvia Rose unearths a plan to uproot the tree in order for it to dance with her to faraway lands. Branch in hand, Sylvia Rose and the cherry tree visit many wonderful sights of the world—but back in the forest, the animals miss the tree which was their home. Though the text is lengthy, the story is charming and it is matched with visual intrigue that eventually guides the cherry tree back to bloom where it was once deeply rooted. Whimsical digital illustrations create enchanting single and full spreads, which are sure to entice young readers,who will wish to dance right into Sylvia Rose's forest. VERDICT With its positive message about adventure, imagination, and nurturing your roots, this book will delight children and adults alike. A dreamy, lyrical tale that will dance off picture book shelves."