Day My Brother Became a Tree

Xin Li

Preorder
Book cover for Day My Brother Became a Tree
Image for variant 9780316492379
Book cover for Day My Brother Became a Tree
Image for variant 9780316492379

Day My Brother Became a Tree

Day My Brother Became a Tree

Xin Li

Member Benefits

  • 30% Off All Books - Savings that support storytellers, not stock prices.
  • Fight Book Bans - Every membership sends a book to LGBTQ+ youth in affected states.
Member Book Price
$18.99 $13.29
Non-Member Book Price $18.99

An annual membership will be billed at $48/year.

Discount applies to first-time members only. Already a member? Log in here.
View full details

Description
A stunningly illustrated picture book about moving to a new home that celebrates compassion, imagination, nature, and sibling love, by the acclaimed creator of I Lived Inside a Whale.

Owen loves his garden, especially his trees. He loves taking care of them-- naming them, watering them, and even singing songs to them. So, when his parents tell him the family is moving, he is devastated. He just can't imagine leaving all his friends and his beloved garden behind. And if he becomes a tree, no one can make him move away.

Luckily, some creative thinking by his big sister, Wendy, and a loving circle of friends come to the rescue in this uniquely imaginative and beautifully illustrated tale about change and the comfort nature can provide for us.

About the Author

Xin Li is an artist and writer. She was born and raised in China and currently lives in Norway with her husband and their daughter. After spending half of her life living in countries outside of her homeland, Xin chose to paint and write, as stories help her to make sense of a world that otherwise is often lost in translation. Xin is passionate about collecting books, watching clouds, and going for long train rides to cities she has never visited before. I Lived Inside a Whale was her U.S. author-illustrator debut. She invites you to visit her online at Lixin.no

Critical Reviews

A Barnes & Noble Best Kids' Book

* "Li's rich illustrations, created with gouache, watercolor, colored pencils, and crayons, are dynamic with layers of earth tones that contribute to a feeling of vast connectedness.... This will be a comforting read for young ones who may be struggling with change."

--BCCB, starred review

Praise for I Lived Inside a Whale:
A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
A Barnes & Noble's Best Picture Book of 2024
A Smithsonian Magazine Ten Best Children's Books of the Year Selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

* "I Lived Inside a Whale has a moment for every reader, making it perfect for storytime or bedtime or any time in between."--Bookpage, starred review

"This is a gentle, relatable story about a child with sensory sensitivity finding a way to forge connections with others. A sweet, contemplative tale of friendship and discovering one's voice."--Kirkus Reviews

"The transportive power of books...and the story's supportive friendship theme makes this a doubly good pick for library and classroom sharing."--Booklist

"An inspiring, unexpected interior journey."--Publishers Weekly

"Li realistically conveys the grief that results from change while also offering a strong model for validating those emotions.... A sensitive and funny take on moving."--Kirkus Reviews

"A tender portrayal of a sibling relationship in the face of a difficult life change."--School Library Journal

* "This heartwarming story about new beginnings, old friends, and the healing magic of nature is perfect for storytimes and cozy family read-alouds."

--Booklist, starred review

Publishing Information

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pub date: 2026-06-16
Length: 48 pages

The Allstora Membership

Membership Perks:

  • Save 30% on all online store purchases
  • Exclusive access to author's content
  • You pay less, but authors still earn double

Membership Terms:

First Month: $0.00
Monthly price: $5.00
  • To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
  • One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.