The Tree House rises from the ocean as a polar bear, swimming through frigid waters, moves in and makes herself comfortable. More creatures arrive as the sea subsides. Seasons change until fall returns and all migrate—except the polar and brown bears. Winter returns to complete the cycle. In this wordless picture book, Marije Tolman’s pastel backgrounds and watercolor drawings over her father’s etchings of The Tree House manage to remain static yet vary with each season. Imagination, friendship, Noah’s Ark, global ecology, the creation, or the potential of books—whatever the theme— The Tree House is a visual smorgasbord for all ages. 2010 Winner of the Bologna Ragazzi Award–Fiction. lmp

Originally published as De Boomhut in Dutch by Lemniscaat The Netherlands, in 2009.