Last Tree in the City
Written and Illustrated by Peter Carnavas
This beautiful book follows Edward and his much loved tree - and what happens when it suddenly disappears! Also comes with a small gift box containing a re-seeding daisy plant - read the book and then watch your own Australian mini-plant grow!
1.Synopsis
Last Tree in the City is the story of a boy who lives in the city. Edward’s city is a place of concrete and cars, a world without colour, so every day he visits the last tree in the city and forgets the dull world around him. Then one day the tree is gone. Edward thinks of a clever way to revive his fallen tree, inspiring the entire city to follow his lead and understand that life is better with trees.
2.Author/Illustrator style or medium
Peter has used watercolour and black ink for the illustrations in the book. The use of colour is very important to the story. The city is painted in dull brown and sepia tones while Edward and the tree stand out in bright colours. The use of these colours reflects the theme of the story, that trees brighten our lives and happiness is achieved through a meaningful relationship with the environment. Peter has used white space for the sad, empty moments in the story, reflecting the emptiness Edward feels without his tree. As hope emerges, the colours become warmer and the final spread of the tree-filled city shows the dull buildings completely overpowered by the life and colour of the trees.
3.Author/Illustrator Motivation
Peter comes from a family of gardeners and has always been fascinated by the warmth and joy one gets from a healthy relationship with the environment. Our biggest challenges facing us today are related to the environment and how we intend to preserve it for future generations. While it may seem difficult to make a difference, Peter wanted to write a story that demonstrated how one small boy could inspire an entire city. One humble act of environmentalism can flow on to others, motivating them to simply plant a tree...anywhere. Their faces are happier, their lives are brighter. The more trees the better! |
