I’ll Take Care of You

PreS-Gr 2–When care is taken, even the littlest of things can grow and flourish. The delicate balance of ecosystems is central to this tale, which begins with a seed desperate for soil, water, and light. Its needs are met by the anthropomorphized Sky, Water, and Earth which provide the conditions needed for it to germinate into a tree upon which a bird can build a nest. In turn, the bird hatches a chick because of the shelter of the tree, and the tree produces apples which beget seeds. And to complete the cycle of nature, one small seed is unable to find a home in the earth without the care of a bird who picks the wayward seed off the rock and places it on the soil where it can grow. The miraculous harmony of nature is celebrated through poetic text and colorful illustrations in this work. Bertelle’s use of color, line, and texture have a patchwork-quilt effect, bolstering the warmth of Giraldo’s narrative.