The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window Hardcover – Picture Book, March 8, 2016

The Tree in the Courtyard – Looking Through Anne Frank’s Window – written by Jeff Gottesfeld and illustrated by Peter McCarty - is a glorious book!And I, Carolyn Dee Flores, feel very proud to have been there since the book’s inception. Four years ago, early Fall, my friend Jeff Gottesfeld called and read to me almost this exact text over the phone. The tree had just died, he said, and he asked me if I would be willing to put together an illustration to go along with the picture book manuscript for presentation. I said “Of course. I love this.” And I worked painstakingly on the painting, knowing how important this book would become, even then. Eventually, Caldecott honor artist Peter McCarty was chosen to illustrate the book. It had taken almost four years to come to fruition.But nothing could have prepared me for the moment when I actually held the book in my hands. It is a treasure! You have to feel it in your hands to truly understand. The cover, with its raised gold lettering, reminiscent of gold-leaf, is only the beginning. There has never been a tree drawn with as much classic power – as Peter McCarty’s tree in The Tree in the Courtyard. Jeff’s words will haunt you - about the friendship between a young girl and a tree, in the midst of one of the most horrific tragedies the world has ever known. This book is what picture books were meant to be!

I was drawn to this book by both the subject matter and the illustration on the cover. As a retired teacher of very young children with special needs, I am still interested in picture books. And as a former art student who had considered illustrating children’s books, l am attracted to the illustrations in some books. This book is excellent for both subject and artwork. I can see reading this book to children would lead to many questions and topics of discussion such as (1) How War affects the people people who live in war torn countries, (2) How Prejudice against any group of people leads to the mistreatment of those people even in this case mass murder, (3) How the publication of an innocent young girl’s writing in her diary opened many people’s eyes to the harm caused by discrimination and war. And hopefully at a later date, after being exposed to this picture book might influence a child of teen years to want to read Ann Frank’s diary to learn more.

A great introduction to this great story. The writer did a fantastic job in balancing the story for the young ages. It is touching and hopeful. It is great for all ages including adults. This is definitely one of the best illustration book this year. I'm so glad that I found it and will cherish it many years to come.

This book is beautiful! It is everything I love about pictures books. Simple--yet so profound. It will scrape you soul!Jeff, took a very challenging subject and crafted it in a remarkable way. Every child can relate to this story AND so can every adult. I believe this will be an award winning book and one that survive the ages.

This is a glorious book, perfectly done. It tells of a horrifying time in history with grace and compassion and clarity and brings to light an element of the Anne Frank story I had never heard before. The author's note alone is moving and fascinating. This books stands alone well but also would tie in to Holocaust curriculum for any age.

Ordered it last Hanukah and still rereading. Illustrations are splendid and the prose is captivating. Deals with touchy topic in an artful manner.

Beautifully written and illustrated children's book about Anne Frank.Teaches children about qualities of endurance and transcendence.Excellent.

Perfect book for my WWII historical fiction unit

Il Libro è complesso, bei disegni, storia difficile da leggere ma ottimo per essere interpretato e un buon modo per avvicinare i bambini a storie drammatiche