The Tree in the Courtyard

By Jeff Gottesfeld, Peter McCarty (Illustrator)

A tree witnesses a girl's life during war, her absence, and the legacy of peace she leaves behind.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 838 ratings

40 pages· 795 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

From the perspective of a horse chestnut tree, witness the life of a girl who played, laughed, and wrote in a diary during a time of war. As strangers invade and planes roar, the tree sees her vanish, leaving only her father to return. Yet, the tree's seeds spread worldwide, symbolizing peace and hope. Discover this poignant tale of resilience and remembrance, beautifully illustrated and told through the eyes of a silent observer.

From the publisher

Told from the perspective of the tree outside Anne Frank’s window—and illustrated by a Caldecott Honor artist—this book introduces her story in a gentle and incredibly powerful way to a young audience.

The tree in the courtyard was a horse chestnut. Her leaves were green stars; her flowers foaming cones of white and pink. Seagulls flocked to her shade. She spread roots and reached skyward in peace.

The tree watched a little girl, who played and laughed and wrote in a diary. When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the girl peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away—and when her father returned after the war, alone.

The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eighty-one, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne’s story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book.