THE MEMORY TREE

A child keenly feels the recent death of a sibling as Yuletide approaches.

It’s the first holiday season since the tragedy. “How can I celebrate Christmas without you?” the young narrator wonders. Through the creation of a memory tree, the young protagonist finds a solution that brings comfort to all. The family heads to the tree farm and picks out the perfect tree. Back at home, they search for “trinkets and treasures you’ve collected,” which they use to construct handmade ornaments that reflect the deceased child’s life and interests. As they trim the tree, they speak about their memories. Soon, extended family and friends arrive, adding ornaments of their own, all of which will help to keep the protagonist’s sibling’s memory alive. Pairing well with the earnest text, written in second person and addressed to the deceased sibling, Baker’s flattened, naïve illustrations depict a loving suburban home. Parents or close relatives will want to share this simple, purposeful tale with young people who have undergone a similar situation. The protagonist is brown-skinned and dark-haired; other members of the community are diverse. The backmatter includes a note from the real-life family whose memory tree inspired Rowland to pen this story.

An idea that may offer solace to youngsters navigating the holiday season in the wake of loss.