29 Mar Book Review: Big Tree by Brian Selznick

Brian Selznick is known for weaving together text and illustration in a way that feels almost cinematic, and with Big Tree, he does something that’s part storybook, part environmental meditation, and part myth. This one’s a bit of a departure from his earlier works like The Invention of Hugo Cabret, in that it’s less grounded in a specific human story and more expansive and philosophical. But at its core, it’s still very much a Selznick book—tender, hopeful, and gorgeously rendered.

What’s it about?

The story begins long before humans are even part of the picture. It’s told from the perspective of two sycamore seeds, Louise and Merwin, who are just beginning to understand the world as they’re released from their mother tree. Their mother—massive, ancient, and deeply rooted—senses change in the air. There are whispers of danger, of time running short, and she sends her seeds off into the world with hope and love, trusting they’ll find a safe place to grow.

The seeds are tiny, naive, and full of curiosity. As they are carried away by the wind, they begin a journey that spans landscapes and ages. They encounter everything from animals and insects to natural disasters and human development. Their journey is framed almost like a quest or an odyssey, with each chapter of their experience offering a new piece of insight about the interconnectedness of life.

What makes Big Tree feel so unique is that it straddles the line between narrative and parable. While Louise and Merwin are literally seeds, they speak, think, and dream in a way that makes them relatable characters. They worry, they argue, they hope. They grapple with what it means to be small in a vast, changing world—and whether they have any power to affect what happens next.

The book leans into big themes: climate change, extinction, resilience, and time. It doesn’t shy away from the idea that the world is in peril, and that the actions of humans have created instability and harm. But it also threads in a deep sense of wonder and possibility. Through the seeds’ journey, we see glimpses of renewal, cooperation, and beauty, even in the face of loss.

Visually, the book is stunning. Selznick’s signature pencil illustrations are here in full force, and they do more than just accompany the text—they tell parts of the story that words don’t. Some stretches of the book are told entirely through image, wordless sequences that carry enormous weight. The contrast between the smallness of the seeds and the vastness of the world is underscored by Selznick’s visual scale: towering trees, sprawling roots, and looming creatures dwarf the little protagonists again and again, reminding us just how fragile new life can be.

Yet despite all the grand ideas and poetic moments, Big Tree also works as a simple, beautiful story about finding your place, even if you’re not sure where you’re meant to be. Louise and Merwin’s sibling dynamic is sweet and sometimes tense—Louise is the braver one, while Merwin is cautious and questioning. Together, they have to navigate unfamiliar terrain, and it’s their bond that carries the heart of the book.

What This Chick Thinks

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s a bit hard to categorize—part children’s book, part art book, part fable for all ages—but it works. It feels like the kind of story you’d want to read aloud or revisit when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world. There’s something calming in its rhythms, something gently wise in its tone.

I appreciated that it doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges facing the environment. It talks about destruction, about how fragile ecosystems can be, and it doesn’t give easy answers. But it also doesn’t give in to despair. Instead, it feels like an invitation—to pay attention, to notice the beauty of small things, and to remember that even tiny actions can matter.

Louise and Merwin might be seeds, but they’re also stand-ins for anyone trying to make sense of a complicated world. Their journey is emotional, thoughtful, and sometimes surprisingly funny. And while the story is simple enough for younger readers, it’s layered with meaning that older readers will definitely pick up on.

If you’ve liked Selznick’s earlier work, you’ll probably love this one, but even if you haven’t read him before, Big Tree is a lovely place to start. It’s slower and more meditative than a typical middle grade adventure, but it leaves a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts

Big Tree is a beautiful, hopeful, and quietly profound book. It’s a celebration of nature, a reflection on the fragility of life, and a reminder that even the smallest voices can carry far. Whether you’re reading it for the art, the message, or the meditative quality of its storytelling, it’s a book that feels like a gift.

Rating: 9/10

Try it if you like

• The Overstory by Richard Powers – A grown-up take on the interconnectedness of trees and human lives, though much more dense and literary.
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo – Another beautifully illustrated, emotional journey with a small protagonist in a big world.
• The Arrival by Shaun Tan – A mostly wordless illustrated novel that uses imagery and metaphor to explore big ideas and human experiences.