The Tale of Adoette (by Lydia Monks

I received this beauty last year…or maybe it was 2022. Never mind. Lydia Monks is a wonderful picture book author and illustrator (some of you may know her from Julia Donaldsons’ What The Ladybird Heard books and others) and her books are always welcome. And always unique; unusual…simple, clear, a joy to read, but they always give pause for thought (and for feelings.) This one is truly special….

ADOETTE

author/illustrator: Lydia Monks

Andersen Press (7 September 2023)

ISBN: 9781839131905

Adoette lived on the same street all of her life…100 years! She saw many changes in all that time. Once, her street was a close, happy community where people had the time to stop and chat. She knew everyone there. But as time moved on, people got busier and busier, rushing about to get her and there. They didn’t stop much anymore. While once people were happy to see Adoette, now…they didn’t seem to care. They started to complain about her. As Adoette grew older, she was no longer welcome…they wanted her gone.

This is a lovely picture book that works on a number of different levels. On the face of it, it is about conservation. On the first reading, I thought I was enjoying the story of a little old lady, her life recounted in a tale of living in the same spot for 100 years and the changes she saw in all that time. And it works very well on that level; a tale of change and progress; a tale that shows us how we view those that have grown older and, maybe, no longer have any value to us. It is about memory and remembering and the impact that history and change has on a community. So that is what I thought I was reading. That is, until I learned that Adoette (meaning “big tree” in French) was in fact a tree. A tree that was at the centre of this little street-community. While these aspects still had sway, it changed the way I saw the whole book. It became more powerful. Yes, it is still a lovely, quiet read, but it opens up a discussion about the impact that nature has on human life…the quietness and peace it brings. And the importance of trees (and dare I say green spaces, in general) to a neighbourhood; how, just by their presence, they benefit the entire community. How they should be preserved so they can give us back some of the best parts of our history. Adoette acted as they beating heart of her street. When she was gone, it saddened the street and made them think…they had to do something to remember her and make Adoette part of their future. And what they do, is wonderful. Poignant, strong and brave, very thought-provoking, adding a sense of memory, hope and…it shows us what we can do, if we try. All in 32 beautifully illustrated pages.

I have always loved Lydia Monks’ books (especially Babbit…sadly now out of print…it’s a firm favourite that brings great joy every time I read it.) I really want to thank the Andersen Press for passing Adoette along to me. It’s gorgeous.  https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/books/adoette/  https://www.lydiamonks.com/product/adoette/