“Before a grip on a branch / and a fall to the ground / and a scrape / and a leap / and a reach for the top, / before anyone finds out how high they can climb, / Nell picks up a seed.” Nell, first shown as a young Black girl, nurtures a seed to sapling and eventually plants a tree. The tree grows up, as does Nell, who is joined by a friend-turned-husband. Eventually the mature tree, now casting shade and pecans on their lawn, becomes a haven and hangout for Nell’s visiting grandchildren. A clever poetic pattern, echoed by fabric patterns in the illustrations, tells the story of a family tree, both literally and figuratively, with careful clues providing context for time and relationships. Notes from the author and illustrator pay homage to the role of trees and pecan harvests in their respective childhoods. (Ages 6-9)