The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry

  • Sale
  • Regular price $17.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.


This modern fable with an urgent message celebrates its 30th anniversary with an updated author's note and back matter resources for young environmentalists.

The author and artist Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the rain forests of Brazil to write and illustrate her gorgeous picture book The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest (1990). One day, a man exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree. While he sleeps, the forest's residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of trees and how "all living things depend on one another" . . . and it works. Cherry's lovingly rendered colored pencil and watercolor drawings of all the "wondrous and rare animals" evoke the lush rain forests, as well as stunning world maps bordered by tree porcupines, emerald tree boas, and dozens more fascinating creatures.

This edition features an updated author's note plus resources for young people who want to take action in ways big and small to protect rainforests.

"An enchanting book with delightful illustrations that will appeal to the imagination of children of all ages, and is a great way to introduce them to the magic of the natural world. Without lecturing it explains the importance of the rainforest to animals and humans alike - and this is an important time to share this understanding widely as our forests are in trouble. A great gift for any child you know."- Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace


"Exceptionally colorful, bright and full of life. . . . Effectively makes specific the larger story of endangered rain forests by taking the problem one creature at a time."-- People "Spectacular."-- School Library Journal

"This modern fable with its urgent message contains an abundance of information."--The Horn Book

Lynne Cherry has devoted her life to sharing her concern about environmental issues with others. She lives in Washington, D.C

Target Age: 4-8

Clarion Books

Pub Date: March 15, 1990

0.5" H x 11.1" L x 9.1" W

40 pages

hardcover