Image of the Week: Climbing the Willow
© Durga Yael Bernhard
The willows have burst out in spring foliage here in the Catskills, reminding me of this illustration from my picture book Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree (2015, Wisdom Tales Press). The text consists of a rhyming poem about a child interacting with a tree . . . and on each spread, it's a different child in a different country on a different kind of tree. This weeping willow is in Holland, with an impish boy atop its elephantine trunk. The book visits many countries, and features huge trees such as the enormous baobab of South Africa, the mighty kapok of Brazil, and the massive Montezuma cypress of Mexico; as well as humbler species such as the lychee of Hawaii, the mulberry of Australia, the mango of West Africa – and more.
Like all my multicultural picture books, this one serves several purposes. First, it shows the bark, leaves, flowers and overall structure of the trees; the insects, animals, and birds that live in and around them; their habitat and location; and in the back of the book, cultural and biological facts about each tree for older readers.
Second, the book conveys the basic theme of "we're all the same / in all different ways," which I've returned to again and again. It shows children of different ethnicities doing something that all kids love to do: exploring trees. Thus the book is an undercover "anti-racist" book (from before the term was coined) – simply by displaying both diversity and commonality in a normal way. Any child may find him- or herself in the branches and foliage of this book. Trees accept everyone equally into their patient, peaceful embrace.
The art is painted in acrylics, with touches of watercolor pencil to articulate the coarse texture of bark. The poem is presented as a series of questions. On the double-page spread shown above, the text reads, "What if you caught a caterpillar eating a leaf, and dodged a dragonfly?" The following spread rhymes, ". . . or you slept like a sloth in the canopy, then watched with an eagle's eye?" (guess what kind of tree that is!)
The next spread reads: "What if you found a hidden hollow where you could tuck your treasures . . . " (olive tree, Israel) " . . . then you sat in the shade, listened to leaves, and felt the changing weather?" (gingko tree, China)
At the end of the book, the repeating question "What if . . . ?" is finally answered: "You'd be just like me, climbing a tree – my oldest and most patient friend." (live oak, southern United States – see here)
As a child, I loved climbing the weeping willow near my home with my playmate Alice. Truly, we were in wonderland. I think we all have memories like that. I didn't know at the time that there are over 300 types of willows, ranging from small shrubs to tall trees; that willows are native to China, and that they have one of the shortest lifespans of all trees: just 40 to 75 years. All I knew was the foliage waved in the breeze like pale green hair; and its cavernous shade was a magical, timeless place.
Willows bloom in the early spring, with flowers arranged in "catkins" – clusters that hang in long strands. Male and female catkins grow on separate trees. Willow branches are tough and elastic and make excellent bentwood furniture. Willow bark contains salicin, a substance that was first used for making aspirin. Willow wood has been used for making baseball bats . . . shall I go on?
As with all my books, I learned so much writing and illustrating this one. Designing it was also a pleasure. Thanks to my editor at Wisdom Tales Press for being so fun to work with.
Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree is targeted for readers age 5 and up. You can order a signed copy from my webstore here, or request it at your library. Most of the original illustrations are also for sale. Please contact me if you're interested.
A good week to all!
