If I am not mistaken, this is the second work of this Catalan publishing house in Basque. Prior to the work of this comic book writer and creator born in Quebec, Hari ikusezinak appeared last year in Montse Torrents. In this sense, it is a satisfaction that the houses from outside are also launched to publish in Basque and enriching because new perspectives and trends can appear in the Basque market.

This is the story that a young child tells in the first person. A story that starts to live, a situation on each page: "Wow! I lost a glove. I don’t find it anywhere”, and on the next page: “I’m in the office of lost things. There are hundreds of gloves. Leather, wool, to play baseball.” As usual, the text is complemented by images in which, in addition to the messages of the protagonist, we can express their joy, surprise or indignation. Like when you put a glove of another color: your face appears with a wide smile.

But this is a story about its relationship with a tree, just as the title itself indicates about its relationship with a large tree. Among the things a solitary child likes, we talk about “what I love most is climbing my tree.” And then he starts to tell about his relationship with the tree, what he does in it, what to see, what to feel… even the things that the tree does, the animals that he collects and protects inside. A strange relationship. The relationship that in a moment has reminded us of that generous tree, but this time it is very different.

Arbolandi is a book that reads quickly and tastefully. Images (sometimes resembling the great Sempé) favor the imagination of the reader – or the viewer – who communicate a lot through simplicity. The text, on the contrary, expresses concepts, feelings, ideas, with very few words.

The reader, in the skin of the narrator, will be able to live his love for the tree; how the child relates to the tree, how he sees the environment, the nature of the lives… and all that seems to end; spring comes and “all the trees are filled with outbreaks and then leaves. (…) All trees except Arbolandi.” We can see the boys next to the tree, contemplating the leafless tree, small and immobile at the foot of the tree, which is on the hollow branches, contemplating its partner.

We often know that when you talk about an animal or a living being around us, but when do you know that a tree has died? When do we realize that he died? And in that moment, the boy decides to do something with his partner before he becomes “wood, furniture or pole for the fireplace.”

This story of Arbolandi is curious, surprising and emotional. A book for Basque readers, children and adults, to enjoy.