My Books
Kenzie’s Little Tree
Illustrated by Emilie Leduc
Orca Book Publishers ISBN: 978-1459837911 March 2025
It seems delicate, just like her mom, who doesn't always feel well. As the seasons change, her mom's health has ups and downs, and the tree sways in the wind and weather. Sometimes her mom is too tired to play, and they just cuddle. Other times, she has to go to the hospital. During the winter, she's away for many days. When a snowstorm hits, Kenzie frantically tries to keep the tree warm. And she worries: Has she broken her promise? But no matter the challenges, come springtime, the tree is still there, blossoming and strong―just like her mom, and just like Kenzie.
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Praise for Kenzie’s Little Tree
“This poetic picture book is a love letter to all families who manage chronic illness on a regular basis. A heartfelt book that will resonate with families familiar with the struggles that come with chronic illness.”
“Alison McGauley handles the emotional subject matter of a loved one’s chronic illness with tenderness and love, depicting all the different experiences Kenzie’s mother enjoys with her family throughout the year but also the pain of her absence in their everyday lives when she must return to the hospital. The story encourages appreciating the time and experiences we have in the moment rather than resenting change and the passage of time. Emilie Leduc’s illustrations are equally gentle, displaying the coziness of each season rendered in immersive pastels.”
“Tender and poignant”
“Seasons come and seasons go, but McGauley assures us that spring’s blossoms most always follow winter’s chill.”
“A beautiful story about family, connection, making memories and strength amid chronic illness and pain.”
“The lively illustrations taking Kenzie and her family through a year of seasons is coupled with a story of resilience and hope that I know will become a comfort and a treasure for the children who see themselves depicted in the story.”
“This sweet, honest story helps families living with chronic illness understand the range of emotions they feel.”