The Sheltering Cedar

Cultural Writing. Children's Literature. A sturdy tree shelters small animals during a storm on Christmas Eve, allowing peace and joy to reign as the tempest clears. Filled with beautiful illustrations of birds, animals, water, and sky, THE SHELTERING CEDAR is a gift of nature, illuminating and delightful. "To say that THE SHELTERING CEDAR is a lovely book doesn't do it justice. The spare, evocative text and warm, detailed watercolors bespeak Anne Runyon's love for Ocracoke Island. She knows this special place well, has studied its intricately balanced ecosystem with all her senses and now takes the rest of us there with all her heart. The quiet story of a coastal tree sheltering wildlife from a Christmas Eve storm will be a bedtime favorite for toddlers, while the author's explanatory note and activities will make this a fun addition to school libraries and classrooms"--Eileen Heyes.