Penelope Pratley, The Secret of Sapling Green, EK Books, February 2022, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781925820980
The Secret of Sapling Green, by emerging author Penelope Pratley, is a picture book about a girl who is socially isolated, but gains satisfaction from her special talent for growing and nurturing plants.
When Sapling’s classmates are sad that the ailing schoolyard tree that they love to climb, is out of bounds and must be cut down, it’s Sapling’s chance to show her special talent. Can her magical “green thumbs” save the tree?
Sapling is described in the text as a passive social outsider, in contrast to the boisterousness of classmate, Wynn. The images show her looking lonely, standing apart awkwardly from the other children whose body postures and facial expressions are energetic and animated. And her bright pink hair and actual green thumbs (literally and figuratively) make her unconventional, creating a metaphor for a condition such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Pratley’s soft watercolour images evoke a wistful, soothing atmosphere that is in keeping with this gentle and hopeful story. I love the use of colour to convey context, with soft greens, greys, and browns for the natural environment of plants or vibrant pink, yellow and blue for a magical, imaginative place. I was also impressed with how well the children’s characters are portrayed through realistic images with natural body postures and genuine facial expressions.
The Secret of Sapling Green is a beautifully told story with carefully chosen words in a brief text and with lovely illustrations. It’s message of acceptance of difference, both in ourselves and others, will stir empathy for children who are different and bring hope to those who struggle to fit in.
The book is suited to 5-8 year olds who can appreciate its complex themes. It would be an excellent teaching resource for starting class discussions about acceptance.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
