THE PERFECT PLAN

Maya, a devoted nature lover, plans to build the perfect tree fort all by herself.

She wants an “incredible and wonderful” place where she can play and read. She researches ideas, makes carefully detailed plans, and sets off to find just the right spot in the forest. First she must gather and move large branches, but in spite of much pushing and lifting, she just can’t cope. There is a brief moment of despair, and then her determination kicks in. She applies for help from the beavers, who provide a large pile of wood. It needs to be moved, so she asks some moose, who gladly accommodate. Other appropriate animals join the team, bears for lifting and framing, and birds for weaving the branches together. A rain delay causes fears for the safety of the fort, but in the end it is perfect, especially when her animal friends join her in that special place. Gilbert’s syntax is direct and perfectly captures Maya’s bright intelligence, creativity, and enthusiasm. The text is scattered throughout well-paced vignettes and spreads. Maya’s descriptions of her envisioned fort and its completed reality stand out from the rest of the text in large hand-brushed display lettering. The lustrous illustrations have a beautiful sense of light, depicting the forest in both sunlight and rain. The animals display a great deal of personality. Maya, who has pale skin and straight, black hair in pigtails, is a strong, independent female and a complete charmer.

Perfectly lovely.