Praise for I’m Like a Tree and a Tree’s Like Me

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2025! A Politics & Prose Children & Teen Favorite of 2025! STARRED REVIEW! ? "A child and a tree grow and develop side by side... Translated from French, Jaoui's conversational text is spare yet playful as child and tree comment on their similarities. Crahay's watercolorlike art is simultaneously majestic and quirky, with sweet-faced insects or snails smiling up at readers. Simple but effective die cuts appear on nearly every spread... As the child embraces the tree, a diverse group of youngsters hug trees of their own, ... sending an affirming message: Despite our perceived differences, each of us is truly 'one of Earth's children.' Much like life itself, this story is a gift that deserves to be shared."
Kirkus Reviews

A Politics & Prose Children & Teen Favorite of 2025! "This simple yet sophisticated book uses die-cut illustrations to compare the blossoming of both baby and sapling as they grow and change with nourishment, warmth, and companionship."
Politics & Prose (Washington, DC)

The die cuts are so key... The whole book has this peek-through element to it, which makes it a great way to show [the] parallels between plants and people.
A Fuse #8 Production (A School Library Journal blog)

“Allows readers to build a connection with themselves and the nature around them. The simplicity of the lines makes the book a great option for read-alouds and will likely get enthusiastic audience participation. Textured illustrations adorn each spread and perfectly complement the picture book’s childlike and straightforward nature… VERDICT: This sweet, simple story about the human-nature connection will be a pleasing addition to library collections.”
School Library Journal

About the Author

Sylvaine Jaoui (1962–2023) was an award-winning French children’s author. I’m Like a Tree and a Tree’s Like Me is her first picture book to be published in English. Anne Crahay is a Belgian artist and illustrator. While living in the Ardennes Forest, she worked in animation and as a freelance graphic designer. She currently lives in Andrimont, Belgium, and teaches graphic design and illustration at the Saint-Luc Liège School of Art. Claudia Zoe Bedrick is the publisher, editor, and art director of Enchanted Lion Books. Several of her translations have been Batchelder Award and Honor books.

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