About the Author

Maria Gianferrari has always loved trees. She has climbed fig trees in Italy, stood under stately coastal redwoods and twisted Torrey pines, and marveled at mitten-shaped sassafras leaves, colorful coral trees, and sawtooth oak acorn nests. She lives with her family in a house encircled by trees, one of which is a spruce planted in memory of her beloved dog, Becca. Be a Tree! is her first book with Abrams.

Felicita Sala is a self-taught illustrator. She has illustrated several picture books, including the award-winning She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, and The Hideout by Susanna Mattiangeli, as well as her own book of recipes for children, What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street? She grew up between Italy and Australia and now lives in Rome with her family.

Reviews

**STARRED REVIEW**
"This book has the advantage of lyrical, accessible poetry and vibrant watercolors from an ever changing palette."
*Kirkus Reviews*

**STARRED REVIEW**
"By foregrounding living beings that exemplify grace, strength, and endurance, Gianferrari gives readers a new way to think about their individual and collective existences."
*Publishers Weekly*

An encouraging nudge to look toward nature for guidance, and a valuable message that "together, we are a forest."
*The Horn Book Magazine*