Ahh, spring! Can I go outside now?
Well, I live in New Jersey where spring weather is a bit iffy—75 and sunny one day, a blizzard the next. Best to keep my nose buried in the books a while longer.
Thankfully, a gorgeous book just arrived! Meet APPLE AND MAGNOLIA by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Patricia Metola.
What a sweet cover! And it earned THREE starred reviews! Thankfully, Laura Gehl agreed to an interview!
Laura, you know this blog is all about story ideas…so how did this idea germinate?
The seed for this idea came from research I read several years ago about how trees communicate with one another. That research is more widely known now, but at the time it was completely new to me. The fact that trees can send one another nutrients, and can warn one another of danger, struck me as something extraordinary and amazing. APPLE AND MAGNOLIA grew out of my desire to write about this real, special relationship between trees.
But this story isn’t just about trees, is it? Tell us how Nana’s character came into play.
You’re right, the story isn’t just about trees. The story is also about Britta’s unwavering belief in the face of doubters. Britta is convinced Apple can help when Magnolia falls ill, and she doesn’t let Dad and her older sister Bronwyn dissuade her. But I wanted Britta to have a supporter in addition to the doubters…because I hope all kids can find a supportive adult in their lives, whether a relative or a teacher or a coach. That’s where Nana comes in.
How did the story grow from early drafts to the final?
Britta’s attempts to help the two trees feel closer to one another (the scarf, the string telephone, the lights) changed over time…I remember my critique partners helping brainstorm ideas for that! As I got closer to the final draft, I added in tree language, like “Britta felt a seed of hope start to grow” and “Britta’s hope blossomed too.” Also, my initial title was TWO TREES, which of course grew into APPLE AND MAGNOLIA.
Why did you choose those two trees, an apple and a magnolia?
Choosing two trees was hard. I wanted trees with beautiful spring blossoms, I wanted one to be a fruit tree, and I wanted trees with names that sounded somewhat like human names (sorry, Brazil nut tree!). I liked that apple trees and magnolia trees can both have pink flowers but that the two types of blossoms don’t look similar in shape or size. Also, I have a magnolia tree in my yard, which I love!
What do you hope readers will take away after reading APPLE AND MAGNOLIA?
I hope kids take away from this book that trees are connected to one another, that we are connected to trees, and really that all living things in our world are connected. I also hope young readers leave this story with the realization that when they face doubters in their lives…even bigger, older doubters…they don’t have to listen. When kids disagree with adults, sometimes kids are the ones who know what they’re talking about!
Amen to that! Kids can be so much more intuitive than adults.
Laura, thank you for sharing this beautiful book with us. I understand there’s also a discussion guide and activity resource at flyawaybooks.com/book/apple-and-magnolia.
And blog readers, you can win a signed copy of APPLE AND MAGNOLIA! Just leave one comment below.
A random winner will be selected next month.
Good luck!
115 comments
Comments feed for this article
March 24, 2022 at 1:27 pm
danielledufayet
Thank you for sharing. I love the theme of connectedness. I love that you chose those two trees – great title! Congrats and I can’t wait to read this. 🙂
March 24, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Amy Bradshaw
I loved reading the beautiful description of your book – I can’t wait to read it. Thank you!
March 24, 2022 at 1:28 pm
Patricia Franz
A topic so close to my heart (with a son who studies and works in forestry) ! Thank you for this beautiful book. It will be a surprise gift for him.
March 24, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Danielle Hammelef
I’ve read a couple of nonfiction books about how trees communicate and help each other and find it fascinating. I love the message of this book that also ties in this incredible knowledge of the language of trees.
March 24, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Denise Bruce of Ingleside
Awww I love everything about this book! Thanks so much 🙂
March 24, 2022 at 1:35 pm
stiefelchana
Such a beautiful concept! Love the art too. Congrats Laura!
March 24, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Rebecca McMurdie
I would love to read this!
March 24, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Kim A Larson
Congratulations, Laura! It sounds like another wonderful book by you!
March 24, 2022 at 1:40 pm
Janna Matthies
Congrats on this beautiful book and all those stars, Laura! I did not know about the tree-to-tree communication…wow. I look forward to reading your beautiful book! Thanks as always, Tara.
March 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Debbie Austin
Congratulations, Laura! I’m adding this to my list of must-haves. I can’t wait to read it!
March 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm
kiwijenny
I love love love this. I’ve learned something. Do carrots talk to each other. Do mushrooms? Not mush room to talk I guess. Do trees talk to grass or just trees. Do they tell j’oaks? Do tall trees protect little ones. Do ones on hillsides let other trees know storms are coming? I mean this is so intriguing….in-tree -guing. Do trees pun…oak kay I’m stopping now
March 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm
jennifermaryg
Great interview! I love hearing about story ideas 🙂 And I love the choice of trees in this story ❤️
March 24, 2022 at 1:43 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you for sharing Apple and Magnolia. What a beautiful concept. Even my trees agree.
March 24, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Jessica Milo
Wow, the cover of this book is gorgeous! I cannot wait to read it!! The theme sounds so interesting and beautiful 🙂 Congrats, Laura, on your book!
March 24, 2022 at 1:47 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
How fun! Thanks for sharing!
March 24, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Mary Malhotra
This sounds delightful! I love the intended takeaways. 🙂 Adults in my family have been buzzing about a book that is now on my TBR pile and might just be the one that inspired this one!
March 24, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Leanne
Wow, can’t wait to read Apple and Magnolia! Your illustrations are inspiring and beautiful!
March 24, 2022 at 1:53 pm
LZ
I am so glad I read this! I wrote an article for Click about the interdependency of trees but didn’t think about taking it further. Your story reminds me to imagine new avenues for old topics. I look forward to reading. Best of luck!
March 24, 2022 at 1:56 pm
colleenrkosinski
your story sounds beautiful!
March 24, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Shirley fadden
Pick me! Pick me! I love this book. Walking with my son the other day, I knew to say, do you know trees communicate with each other? (He’s 16 by the way) Congrats on a beautiful book!
March 24, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Jennifer F Roman
How amazing! I never knew that trees can communicate and help one another. I can’t wait to share this book with my kids. It looks beautiful and poetic.
March 24, 2022 at 2:02 pm
claireannette1
What a heart-filled story! We all need this one.
March 24, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Brittney
This looks great! I’m looking forward to reading it.
March 24, 2022 at 2:04 pm
maryraebel
Can’t wait to read this beautiful book! Congratulations, Laura!
March 24, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Elia Ben-Ari
This book looks and sounds absolutely lovely! I, too, have been fascinated by the emerging knowledge of how trees (and other plants) can communicate.
March 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
pollyrenner
I love tree books, and have written a few myself! Can’t wait to read this one next!!
March 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Susan Jobsky
You’ve given the world a story which resonates with us all. We are all different in common ways, our skin tones are different, hair color and eye color are different. We have different cultural ties and family ties. We are all different, but we all share the ways in which we differ.
We all have ideas, big ideas and small ideas. Some will like our ideas; others will not like them. Some will encourage our attempts to grow and others will discourage us. Some will believe in us; others will scoff. Your story, Apple and Magnolia, demonstrates what can happen when we are persistent and follow the path our beliefs present to us, no matter what others think.
Thank you for persisting with your belief in this story!
March 24, 2022 at 2:18 pm
creationsbymit
I love the connectedness aspect of this story and the main character’s strong sense of hope and belief! Definitely putting it on my Amazon list because it needs to join my personal library!
March 24, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Brigid Finucane
This comes at the perfect time. Friends had a new baby they named Magnolia! This book will be in their future!
March 24, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Cheryl Keely
Sounds lovely. I love tree books.
March 24, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Reed Hilton-Eddy
I love trees and I love this story idea! Cant wait to read it
March 24, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Jennie H
Excited to read this book! I love the description and message. Magnolia trees magical!
March 24, 2022 at 2:49 pm
pegdoll
Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
March 24, 2022 at 2:54 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Congratulations, Laura! Your book looks amazing. Thank you, Tara, for the helpful interview.
March 24, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Kelly Roberts
Thanks for sharing this!
March 24, 2022 at 3:15 pm
rosecappelli
Wonderful interview! I love Apple and Magnolia and I think kids will, too. Congratulations, Laura!
March 24, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Suzy Grossman
Apple and magnolia. …..I can’t wait to read it!
March 24, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Valarie Giogas
Love the behind the scenes of the book. Sounds lovely and is now on my TBR list. Congrats.
March 24, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Rita D.
I love tree stories. Looking forward to reading this one. Congratulations, Laura!
March 24, 2022 at 3:41 pm
annette schottenfeld
Congratulations on this beautiful book! The message is so pure and lovely.
March 24, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Jamie Donahoe
This sounds full of the promise of spring! Congratulations
March 24, 2022 at 3:55 pm
Stacey
What a precious story! It reminds me of the joyous feeling I get when our crab apple tree blooms in the front yard. So pretty, like the book cover 🙂
March 24, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Barbara Senenman
I love this concept. I had read about how trees can send messages through their roots and found this fascinating. Now, I must read your story.
March 24, 2022 at 4:07 pm
TonyaAnn Pember
I love that you used Apple and Magnolia because they could have been little girls! Sounds like a great read!
March 24, 2022 at 4:13 pm
H. Abigail Perry
I can’t wait to read this book!
March 24, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Jennifer
Yet another reason I enjoy reading. I did not realize this about trees. Look forward to reading your beautiful book.
March 24, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Rebecca Guzinski
Sounds like a beautiful story in so many ways!
March 24, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Nancy Furstinger
This book looks and sounds glorious! I have hundreds of trees on my property and can’t wait to read to them:-)
March 24, 2022 at 5:16 pm
clairebobrow
This one needs to be on my shelf! Love the story “behind the book” – so powerful and beautiful. Congrats, Laura and Patricia!
March 24, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
This looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to read this new book.
March 24, 2022 at 5:27 pm
pbbeckyk
This book looks and sounds like it will be my new favorite! Thank you for sharing its journey with us.
March 24, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Debbi G
Congrats on your beautiful new book. I look forward to reading it.
March 24, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Kaye Baillie
This book looks adorable!
March 24, 2022 at 5:43 pm
kathydoherty1
I love a picture book with a powerful takeaway–all living things are connected. Lovely!
March 24, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Tracy Abell
What a beautiful concept, Laura, and I love all the thought that went into choosing the two types of trees. Maybe Brazil nut will get its own book one day!
March 24, 2022 at 5:51 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Sounds like a sweet story. Congrats to you!
March 24, 2022 at 6:01 pm
Leah Marks
Thank you for sharing this story with us. It sounds so meaningful.
March 24, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Arlene Schenker
This books looks perfectly beautiful with such a fantastic message of all living things being connected. Thank you, Tara, for the interview. And thank you,Laura, for sharing i with us.
March 24, 2022 at 6:31 pm
chardixon47
“we are connected to trees, and really that all living things in our world are connected.” YES! Congratulations Laura and Patricia. Your book sounds amazing and I can’t wait to get my copy!
March 24, 2022 at 7:00 pm
seschipper
The title is great and the message is wonderful! Looking forward to adding another Laura Gehl to my collection! 🙂
March 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm
Bethanny Parker
I remember reading about how trees communicate with each other. It’s so cool that you made a story out of it.
March 24, 2022 at 7:59 pm
Stephanie D Jones
Love love love this book idea and the illustrations make me want to run out to grab it! Thanks for creating such a beautiful book!
March 24, 2022 at 8:19 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
Beautiful beautiful book!
March 24, 2022 at 9:21 pm
marty bellis
I can’t wait to read this book. Yay, trees!
March 24, 2022 at 9:50 pm
shirley301
What a great idea for a story. I look forward to reading it.
March 24, 2022 at 10:00 pm
Pamela Harrison
What a fascinating topic! I love the way you chose the types of trees in your book. I would love to read this.
March 24, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Heather Stigall
Oh, I can’t wait to read this book! It sounds lovely!
March 24, 2022 at 11:07 pm
Jenny Morales
This looks like such a precious story!
March 24, 2022 at 11:38 pm
savoringeverymoment
I have this book from the library right now and I simply adore it. I would love a signed copy! I love Britta’s character and I love the repetition of the dad and older sister’s responses. And of course I love the relationship of the trees.
March 24, 2022 at 11:53 pm
Zoraida Rivera
Beautiful book! I love trees and your inspiration is so interesting. May it keep connecting, Laura and Patricia!
March 25, 2022 at 2:31 am
Elizabeth Westra
Lovely illustrations! I never knew trees had connections with each other. pr relationships.This book. sounds fasinating, and I’m looking it up at my library so Ican read it. Great post,Laura!
March 25, 2022 at 6:38 am
leslieevatayloe
I always enjoy Laura’s books. Best wishes in 2022!
March 25, 2022 at 7:18 am
chaunceyelephant
Love how you took that germ of an idea and “grew” it!
March 25, 2022 at 9:08 am
theresacocci
Thank you for sharing this interview. I am always inspired to share these wonderful stories with my students. I teach music and we celebrate Earth Day every year The importance of this story and the connection between our responsibility to take care of our trees, which are loving and have feelings is a wonderful message that I will enjoy with my students. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
March 25, 2022 at 10:19 am
Jennifer Raudenbush
I’ve heard great things about this book and sincerely want to read it!
March 25, 2022 at 10:39 am
Natasha Wing
I love that kids will learn how living things are more connected than we think.
March 25, 2022 at 10:52 am
Sue Heavenrich
Great post – and a huzzah! to Laura for another sweet book.
March 25, 2022 at 11:03 am
Paul Brassard
Wonderful… Just last week I watched a documentary called Intelligent Trees. It answered questions I’d been asking since I was a kid. Do plants feel? Can they hear? Talk? Your lovely, gentle book opens up all those possibilities to a child encouraging their curiosity and empathy for the living world around us. Thanks for sharing such a warm, loving vision with the rest of us.
March 25, 2022 at 11:14 am
andreesantini
I love how you’re inspiring connection with this story, and the illustrations are wonderful, too. Thanks for sharing.
March 25, 2022 at 11:33 am
Rebecca Van Slyke
What a lovely idea!
March 25, 2022 at 12:30 pm
gloriaamescua
I love the idea of different tree types helping each other and bringing Nana as a supporter is super wonderful!
March 25, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Erin Cleary (ClearyWriter)
This looks like a beautiful book. Thank you for sharing your journey in writing it!
March 25, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Darcee A Freier
Have you read THE OVERSTORY by Richard Powers? That was the first I’d ever heard that trees communicate. I’m so excited that you’ve written a children’s book around the idea! Congratulations to you!
March 25, 2022 at 2:09 pm
laurelneme
So excited to see this!! Looks beautiful!!
March 25, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
I’d seen the cover of this book and knew I had to have it, but now that I know more about the story, I can’t WAIT for my copy to arrive! It’s gorgeous. Congrats!
March 25, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Stephen S. Martin
here is to a Blossoming career
March 25, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Bridgitte
Sounds like a sweet story!
March 25, 2022 at 4:32 pm
katiefischerwrites
I love the sound of trees sharing together and Britta’s hopefulness, and I look forward to sharing it with my kids.
March 25, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Mary Worley
Congrats on another lovely book, Laura! Love the layers in this one.
March 25, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Robin L
Wonderful concept and beauitful art. I especially like how pink suffuses the world of this story.
March 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm
TL Fales
I am so fascinated by the way that trees communicate and help each other. i can’t wait to read this story.
March 25, 2022 at 7:57 pm
suejeanko
Love these illustrations. Can’t wait to read!
March 25, 2022 at 8:09 pm
Virginia Rinkel
I read about trees communicating with each other in “The Mother Tree” by Suzanne Simard.
March 25, 2022 at 10:23 pm
Poupette
Congratulations, sounds like a lovely book! I first read about tree communications in a story by Roald Dahl…
March 25, 2022 at 10:35 pm
Elayne
Love this idea and look forward to reading this book, Laura and Patricia! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this with us, Tara!
March 26, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
A magnolia tree grew outside the bedroom window of my childhood home. The tree is still there, huge and gorgeous. Thanks for bringing back a nice memory.
March 27, 2022 at 7:13 am
58chilihed13
This book is an amazing gift to the world. I have already purchased half a dozen copies and am gifting to new baby parents, old root connected friends and my local children’s library! A true treasure!
March 27, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Lucky Jo Boscarino
I love the title, it has layers of meaning that lead you right into the story.
March 28, 2022 at 6:58 am
Antoinette Truglio Martin
What a wonderful book. Thank you for the author introduction
March 28, 2022 at 9:52 am
stephaniemstories
This book looks beautiful.
March 28, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Laura, congrats! The cover is gorgeous and this sounds like it’s a book that will definitely touch lives.
March 28, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Alicia Shawn Gagnon
Gorgeous! and I love the whimsical pup too…
March 28, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Lori Alexander
What a gorgeous book! Such a fascinating topic for a PB–can’t wait to read!
March 28, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Annie Lynn/AnnieBirdd Music, LLC
MORE books about Tree communication! This just made my day. I am roots deep trying to write tree-comm lyrics & truly NEED this book. Congratulations Laura and Patricia and all involved for making a special book that will hopefully make children protectors of trees. I have a magnolia blooming now in PA that just got SNOWED on! I hope the other trees nearby know it’s tender blossoms are freezing their tuchas/petals off. App,e and Magnolia, welcome to kidlit.💖
March 28, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Annie Lynn/AnnieBirdd Music, LLC
Carol….you are definitely right, this book will touch lives. Any human that has basic empathy skills is going to be affected positively by this book, so they know about arbor conservation, as well as things they can do to reduce carbon footprint. The weird, sad thing is that since I found out about underground tree-com, my heart breaks looking out the window upstairs, where I see a 100+ year old Oak in our small forest, toppled by a freak JULY storm with 2 inches rain in an hour & giant hail that caused a roof replacement. I try to imagine that the surrounding trees near my Oak sent it comfort as it was dying. It will eventually decompose, and in the meantime, will feed birds with bugs, and cover the skunks and chipmunks. I wonder if trees hear? These are my deep tree musings. Stay well.✌🏼
March 28, 2022 at 10:34 pm
avayeechinn
This sounds delightful! I hope to read it soon!
March 29, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Sarah Meade
Great interview! This book looks so charming and delightful, and I look forward to reading it. Congrats!
March 30, 2022 at 8:37 pm
Lou Aamodt
This sounds like a great mixture of research and heart!
March 30, 2022 at 10:54 pm
michelerietz
What a fascinating idea – trees communicating with each other! Congrats on your book and thanks for sharing some of your story process with us.
March 31, 2022 at 4:28 pm
greengirlblueplanet
Great idea! I love interesting stories about nature. Congrats on the book! oh and I love magnolias particularly the one with beautiful pink blooms. Just wished the blooms lasted longer..
April 6, 2022 at 9:52 pm
Angie
Beautiful concept and book! I can’t wait to read Apple and Magnolia to find out how they help each other. Congratulations!
April 7, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
LAURA: I am SO IN LOVE with this BEAUTIFUL book! Not only are the illustrations SO SWEET, but so is the message: ALL living things are connected! I am a HUGE tree LOVER/HUGGER, so I CAN’T WAIT to get a hold of this book and HUG it TOO!!!
April 7, 2022 at 2:40 pm
elisederstine
I love fictional stories that also educate us about nature. So excited for this gorgeous book!
April 8, 2022 at 7:24 am
rbkrackeler
I LOVE the peek we got at this book on the blog today. I would LOVE, LOVE to have an actual copy! Apple and Magnolia-such a beautiful and happy title; makes me smile.
April 12, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Maria Powell
Apple and Magnolia feels like it will bring the type of peace and awareness that would really benefit our kids. I look forward to reading it!