Children’s book illustration · Cover & interior design
The Giving Tree
of the Desert.
A picture book by Danielle Fradette about a young saguaro and the palo verde tree that shelters it. The Sonoran Desert becomes the setting for a story of care, growth and the support we need to thrive.
Written by Danielle Fradette. Illustration and book design by Tais Lemos.
The finished book
A desert story,
rooted in nature.
Textured landscapes follow the changing weather, seasons and scale of the desert as the little saguaro grows. The text sits within the scenery, leaving room for both the story and its setting.
Cover design
The story begins
on the cover.
Developing the visual story
From storyboard
to desert world.
The storyboard explores compositions, color and the changing relationship between the tree and cactus before the finished spreads.
