The story behind the book, told by Kaira's mother...

Beautifull pictures... I love it all... the girl, the dress, the book...

It's a mutual gift!

Thank you!

Le Cadeau de L'Arbre

One autumn, five years ago, Kaira whirled danced amid the falling leaves in my parents yard.  As golden leaves fluttered downward in the wind, she made a joyous game of trying to catch them.  

Soon, one little leaf spiraled directly into her cupped hands!  Flushed with excitement, she rushed inside: "Mommy! Daddy! Grandpa! Grandma! A leaf fell right into my hands, the tree GAVE it to me. Do you think most people have their very own leaf that a tree gave to them for a present?"

Grandpa found a hefty book and helped her press her treasure for safekeeping.   It stayed in the book for a time, but ultimately we laminated it.  Now, that laminated leaf serves as a bookmark--in a very special book!

When I blogged Kaira's experience, it captured the imagination of  Nicole Snitselaar, a children's author in France!   Imagine our delight upon discovering a gift from Nicole in our mail box yesterday!  Elle: et le cadeau de l'arbre  (elle: and the gift of the tree) is in print, and is truly "magnifique!"

We are completely enchanted!  Unfortunately, our grasp of French is  bumbling, but we can understand the essence and are delighted with the charming details woven into the story.  She's added just the right literary touches to capture the magic of the changing seasons through the wondering eyes of a child.  Exquisite illustrations are the perfect compliment to Nicole's story telling.  This book is lovely in every way!

We hope to find someone to read and translate the entirely story to us more fluently soon! 

Printed on the title page is a beautiful dedication, 

À Kaira, la petite héroïne de cette historie vraie.  N.S.

Merci, Nicole!  Kaira is sure to treasure this lovely book her whole life.  What an honor!

This book is sold in both France (through amazon.fr)  and Canada (through amazon.ca.)  Someday, I hope it will be published in English too. 

Un coup timide suivit d'un plus grand, frappé sur ma porte d'entrée, me fait sursauter.

- C'est bien vous Nicole Snitselaar?

- Oui, c'est bien moi!

- Alors j'ai un colis pour vous, je vais le chercher!

Mon cerveau fait le tour des colis éventuels... ce ne peut-être que celui qui m'amène mes exemplaires de "Elle et le cadeau de l'arbre".

Le livreur revient, il me montre à nouveau mon nom, est -ce bien moi?

- Oui, oui...c'est mon nom d'artiste...

Le pauvre! C'est pas le même nom qui figure sur la boîte aux lettres!

Trop contente!

J'étais déjà en possession d'un exemplaire, arrivé pendant mon escapade au salon du livre à St Hippolyte. Mais la date de sortie étant encore éloignée, j'ai préféré attendre pour vous en parler.

Maintenant, le jour où il va se trouver dans toutes les bonnes librairies de France approche: le 25 avril.

Un de mes fils a fait une photo relativement flou avec son téléphone portable, pas grave.

Merci fiston! ( et une photo de plus prise par fille aînée! Merci !)