Author: Karin Dezent

Illustrated by Michal Zinger

Orion-Books. 2012. 27 pages.

Reviewed by Judy Shapiro

The Orange Tree Meets Friends is a charming, beautifully-illustrated children's book written in Hebrew rhyme, which tells the story of an orange tree which grew on a hill, a good distance away from the other trees, in an orchard below. It was lonely, but being rooted, it could not join the other trees.

Independence can be lonely; so can being different. But it is also a challenge. Our orange tree has a big heart. It is generous and it has hope. It reaches out to little animals that seek a rest, a hole for a home, shade, camouflage, fruit, nectar, roots, and a place to build a nest. In return, the little animals and an insect give the tree the ability to spread its pollen, eliminate pesky insects and weeds, create joy, give it protection and wisdom and fill the surrounding area with song.

Through the kindness of the tree, the author gently teaches her young readers to be sensitive, considerate, and generous toward others. The munificence of the tree carries with it the responsibility to share. Nevertheless, those who benefit from its gifts should acknowledge the debt and return the favor.

Dezent encourages the reader to be aware of and curious about nature and the world around us. She accentuates responsibility, dependability, empathy, and, above all, friendship, which include embracing those who are different from us. As the tree stands adorned with its animal occupants, four smiling little children visit, each carrying an orange tree sapling to plant nearby. The children are all different looking; a young, blond, blue-eyed boy leads the procession, followed by a curly-haired Ethiopian girl, a tawny-haired, bespectacled, kippah-wearing toddler, and a redhead with pigtails.

 An opening quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is the credo of her book: "The only way to have a friend is to be one." Because of the tree's ability and willingness to reach out to everyone who can benefit from its largesse, it makes friends and transforms its loneliness to happiness.

I read the book to my grandchildren, and one of them hugged the book to her heart and could not let it go. "The tree is not lonely anymore," she said. "She has friends."

Karin uses animals as a tool in her work as a therapist. She has a degree in Behavioral Sciences and is a teacher and a medical clown. She leads classes in nature and organizes birthday parties with the participation of her animal friends. This is her first book. www.karinzoo.co.il