Joy Kogawa, illustrated by Ruth Ohi
Naomi’s Tree
Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2008.

Gr 5-7
Rating: E*

This picture book from critically acclaimed Canadian author and Order of Canada Member, Joy Kogawa, is based on the characters from Kogawa’s 2005 children’s novel, Naomi’s Road. The story in Naomi’s Tree is based on events in Kogawa’s own life, and centered around the account of a cherry tree in Japan known as the ‘Friendship Tree’ because if its ability to bring people together through its beauty in the Spring, and the sharing of its fruit in the Summer. A seed is brought to Canada from Japan in Naomi’s mother’s Kimono, and planted in the backyard of her family home, where it is cherished by the family until their internment in World War II.

Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein’s classic, The Giving Tree, this is a beautiful testament to friendship, and the healing power of nature. Combined with Ohi’s lush pencil and watercolour illustrations - especially those of the tree in bloom - Naomi’s Tree is a solid pick for all school-age picture book collections.

Thematic Links: Japan; Trees; Friendship; Internment of Japanese-Canadians

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.