The Keeper of the Trees

Deborah Dowson is a Canaadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

There is a secret in Brunswick Gardens and Elizabeth has discovered it.
An old homeless woman named Maud opens a magical gate that releases
miniature horses into the park. These mysterious creatures run up and
down the chestnuts to bring the trees to life in the spring, and they
leave behind in the park tiny horseshoe-shaped marks.

The fantasy world of the park is set against the reality of life in
London, England. Elizabeth has moved from Saskatchewan to live with her
aunt. She must adjust to this new environment of busy streets and
concrete playgrounds. The author is sensitive to the details of the
setting, as well as to the different norms and conventions in England
that a child from Canada would face. Elizabeth avoids her classmates and
seeks solace in the oasis of the park. As she answers the call to help
care for the trees, she also finds the courage to reach out to others in
friendship.

Brenna brings a classical dimension to the modern-day fantasy by
offering snippets of well-known poetry as an introduction to each
chapter. The poetry evokes a reverence for nature that is echoed by
Maud’s use of poetic language. The story shows how humans are
dependent on nature and how it is our responsibility to aid in the
survival of our green spaces. The Keeper of the Trees has much to offer
young readers and lovers of poetry, nature, and fantasy. Recommended.