Climbing the Kapok Tree
This illustration from my picture book Just Like Me, Climbing A Tree (Wisdom Tales Press, 2015) shows a child in the Amazon rainforest climbing a huge kapok tree. The banana trees growing near its base may appear to be plants, but if you’re familiar with banana trees, you might know each leaf can be as tall as a person. Truly, the kapok tree dominates the forest – as does the Harpy eagle perched on its branch, the mightiest raptor and heaviest eagle in the world (which I learned when illustrating a book about eagles years ago). Likewise, the brown fruit pods of the kapok (shown hanging over the eagle) are huge, and could knock you out if one fell on your head.
This massive tree is among the more impressive species shown in this picture book of trees around the world. But the book is not just about large and small, common and incredible trees – it’s a rhyming poem that peeks into the lives of children all over the world who interact with them. Like all my multicultural picture books, this one has the underlying theme of “we’re all the same, in all different ways” – featuring both the cultural and geographic differences among children, as well as the commonality and curiosity of children everywhere. All over the world, children love to interact with trees.
As is often the case, my editor and I faced a dilemma. We wanted to show children doing what they naturally do, but we also want young readers to be safe. As a mother, I know what it’s like to see a child dangerously high up in a tree, heedless of the risk of falling. And yet, in other cultures such as the one depicted here, people of all ages climb trees without the use of a safety apparatus in order to obtain honey, fruit, eggs, or other treasures of the forest. We don’t want to whitewash reality, but we also don’t want to frighten parents or endanger kids. This sort of conundrum is very common in the world of juvenile publishing. Ultimately, we settled on adding guidelines in the back of the book for keeping both children and trees safe (kids can harm trees, too!).
Just Like Me, Climbing A Tree is targeted for ages 5 and up, but the back of the book also contains information about each tree for older readers. My compilation of facts about kapoks is quite impressive: these giant trees can grow up to 230 feet high, often rising above the canopy of tropical rainforests. Mature kapoks create habitat for numerous birds and animals. Their pods contain a fluffy fiber that has been used to stuff all manner of manmade inventions, from mattresses to life jackets to stuffed toys. The kapok tree was sacred to the Mayan people and an important source of healing medicine. I learned so much in the process of creating this book!
Recently a friend of mine bought the book for her grandchildren, who in turn shared it with their friends. Soon after, I received this photograph of one of those kids reading the book in a tree that much resembles the tree shown on the cover. How delightful! As an author/illustrator, this is my greatest reward – to see children actually engaged with my books.
All over the world, children of all kinds find both solace and wonder in trees. In a society in which even toddlers are plugged into technology, this book is a reminder that all kids have a universal need to get outside in nature. Books and trees are an important part of childhood.
Just Like Me, Climbing A Tree is available in my webstore, and may be signed to the child of your choice. It's also available on Amazon, and on the publisher's website, World Wisdom.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!