Don’t be startled by the length of Big Tree. Like many of Selznick’s works, it is mostly beautiful pictures and pages with four or five sentences. Big Tree takes place during the cretaceous period, at least 66 million years ago. It focuses on two sycamore seedlings, Merwin and Louise. They are blown away from their mother tree during a forest fire and then must search for a place with sun, water and soil, so they can grow into trees.

I usually don’t read or recommend children’s book, but Brian Selznick is a special talent. For a child who is seven years or older and is curious, sensitive and can appreciate outstanding art work, Big Tree would make a perfect gift.