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    More than a Tree

    Author Sarah Kurpiel
    Illustrated by Sarah Kurpiel
    Ebook
    Penguin Young Readers | Rocky Pond Books
    9"W x 11"H
    On sale Mar 17, 2026 | 40 Pages | 9780593697696
    Preschool - 3
    Reading Level: Lexile 530L
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    This tender, affecting story of the life of a tree and its impact on a young girl is a glorious read-aloud in the vein of classics such as The Giving Tree and The Rabbit Listened.

    The backyard tree has meant everything to the girl in this story. It has been a companion, a shelter, and a setting for all kinds of games. But now it’s time to say goodbye, and to make room for a new backyard tree. And just as the old tree used to watch over the girl, she will now watch over the seedling as it grows.

    In soothing, melodic prose and gentle, glowing images, this story is about much more than a tree—it’s about family, about processing sadness, about the circle of life and the nourishment we all receive from nature.
    Sarah Kurpiel is a librarian and self-taught author/illustrator. Her stories are inspired by animals, nature, and moments of wonder in everyday life. She hopes her work brings a bit of happiness into the world—and a bit of disability representation too. Sarah uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. She lives with her family in Downers Grove, Illinois.
    Sarah Kurpiel View titles by Sarah Kurpiel
    ★"The lovely pastel artwork mirrors the gentle spirit of this story, which also comes with a message of hope and responsibility. This one has its own quietly joyful message of shared family experiences and the healing that comes over time. This book would be an excellent addition to any library’s collection, especially those needing stories of dealing with a loss.”—School Library Journal, starred review

    "When a family’s beloved backyard tree must be felled, a bittersweet grieving process unfolds, which Kurpiel conveys with understanding in this sympathetic picture book of mourning and regrowth." —Publishers Weekly

    About

    This tender, affecting story of the life of a tree and its impact on a young girl is a glorious read-aloud in the vein of classics such as The Giving Tree and The Rabbit Listened.

    The backyard tree has meant everything to the girl in this story. It has been a companion, a shelter, and a setting for all kinds of games. But now it’s time to say goodbye, and to make room for a new backyard tree. And just as the old tree used to watch over the girl, she will now watch over the seedling as it grows.

    In soothing, melodic prose and gentle, glowing images, this story is about much more than a tree—it’s about family, about processing sadness, about the circle of life and the nourishment we all receive from nature.

    Author

    Sarah Kurpiel is a librarian and self-taught author/illustrator. Her stories are inspired by animals, nature, and moments of wonder in everyday life. She hopes her work brings a bit of happiness into the world—and a bit of disability representation too. Sarah uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. She lives with her family in Downers Grove, Illinois.
    Sarah Kurpiel View titles by Sarah Kurpiel

    Praise

    ★"The lovely pastel artwork mirrors the gentle spirit of this story, which also comes with a message of hope and responsibility. This one has its own quietly joyful message of shared family experiences and the healing that comes over time. This book would be an excellent addition to any library’s collection, especially those needing stories of dealing with a loss.”—School Library Journal, starred review

    "When a family’s beloved backyard tree must be felled, a bittersweet grieving process unfolds, which Kurpiel conveys with understanding in this sympathetic picture book of mourning and regrowth." —Publishers Weekly

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