"ASPEN'S ROOTS," by Paul Sullivan, illustrated by Pamela Gillette, Red Pine Publishing, $16.95 (all ages)
Writers often personify nature to make a point — the wind may speak in anger or a sunflower may have a smiling countenance. Utah native Paul Sullivan, using his aspen tree surroundings, chronicles the growth of a sapling, named Sapling, through “warm summer sun,” “orange, red and yellow replacing the green” to become “a little twig Aspen” in the snow.
Verses drift from third person to Sapling’s voice telling of a bigger “family” that regenerated and “left their mark,” ultimately contributing to the growth of one little sapling tree.
The aspen root system in central Utah “is the largest single organism in the world” Sullivan said in notes about the remarkable aspen tree, populus tremuloides. He challenges readers to “discover your roots” as a way to appreciate a personal legacy.
Pamela Gillette’s sumptuous acrylic paintings accompanying “Aspen's Roots” carry the hush of meadows, mountain vistas and deep forest thickets in varied textures and muted natural shades of gray, brown and green. Sapling’s underground ecosystem comes alive in murals spread with detailed deep tones, forest habitat and tangled roots conveying the complexities in nature.
Gillette’s illustrations transform what would be an otherwise pedestrian book into one that nature and art lovers alike will enjoy.
If you go ...
What: Paul Sullivan and Pamela Gillette book signing
When: Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com
Email: marilousorensen@ymail.com