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Every family runs into challenges at some point on life's journey. I was inspired to write the story The Family Tree after suffering a loss in my family. I have been told the story has a message of healing. Writing the story gave me a new perspective, one of hope so I could move forward. This inspiring story is delightfully refreshing, and will surprise the reader. Children will enjoy it for the simple story, adults will appreciate the deeper meaning.
I am the author and co-illustrator of The Family Tree: The Night of the Storm. The book has won 16 awards to date, for the story as well as the illustrations. The pictures were created from fabric, made into a story quilt and photographed for the story illustrations.
I currently serve in the education realm as principal of an elementary school. I have an M.A. in Educational Administration, and an M.A. in Counseling. Throughout my career I have attended writing workshops to help me improve my craft. Writing has found its way into my mind and heart and is only appeased by putting my thoughts on paper, so therefore I continue to write.
Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite
The Family Tree: The Night of the Storm by Laurie Copmann is a beautiful children's book about a tree. The tree was planted long ago and had grown up to be a very magnificent tree that provided shade. One night, there was a big storm and a branch snapped off. The person who planted the tree went by with his granddaughter and saw that the branch was on the ground. The two of them decided to make it into a swing so that it would remain with the tree forever.
I really enjoyed The Family Tree: The Night of the Storm by Laurie Copmann. The book is beautifully written and heartwarming. The characters are all very likeable and the story is very descriptive. The pictures, by Laurie Copmann and Shirley Kraus, depict the story very well. I liked that there were hidden items in each scene and enjoyed trying to find them, and young readers will enjoy trying to find them too. I liked how at the end it says what each hidden object represents and why they were chosen. I liked how the tree losing a branch represents the death of a family member and teaches about death without actually mentioning death. The story is very heartwarming, and the idea of the characters making the broken branch into a swing was very creative and gave the story a happy ending. I would recommend this book to all young readers.
