The Conductor [originally published in France as Diapason] by Laetitia Devernay

The unusually tall format of this book is perfectly suited to its content. Using a limited color palette of green, yellow, grey, and black, a small forest of trees with circular tops and oddly narrow stem-like trunks form the story's setting. The conductor selects a tree, shimmies up its trunk to the treetop, raises his baton, and transforms the leaves into birds that take flight. An incredible symphony of movement continues until the trees are bare, then he shimmies back down again and plants a seed, along with his baton. An interesting, albeit strange, combination of music, trees, and birds, this book will be appreciated by imaginative people of all ages - especially musicians.

This book was on USBBY's 2012 Outstanding International Books list.

The Conductor [originally published in France as Diapason] by Laetitia Devernay. United States of America: Chronicle Books, 2011. [9781452104911]