How can two tiny seeds make a big impact on the planet? Readers will find out in author and illustrator Brian Selznick’s new novel, Big Tree.
It’s the story of Louise and her brother, Merwin. They are sycamore seeds that live in a prehistoric forest. After being separated from their mother, they must find their way in a new world. The story takes place over millions of years.
“While working on Big Tree, I learned that what feels like a long time to us isn’t long at all for nature,” Selznick explains.
Two of his previous bestsellers, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, were turned into movies. But Big Tree started out as a movie script. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg had asked Selznick to write a movie about nature. The project was put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic. Selznick ended up reimagining the story as an illustrated novel.