2019 eLit Gold Award; Silver Medal in the 2019 Reader's Favorite International Book Awards Competition; 2019 American Book Fest - Best Book Award competition in the Children's Fiction Picture Book category; First Place in Top Shelf 2019 Competition.
 
Yara lives with her Mama in the lush Amazon jungle. She wants to rescue her beloved but increasingly besieged rainforest home. When Yara falls gravely ill, the forest returns the love and saves Yara's life. This is the first book in the award-winning Yara’s Rainforest series (3 stand-alone volumes).
 
“Yara's Tawari Tree is a visual feast for the eyes and spirit as kids and their caregivers learn about the close interrelationships of animals, plants and people in the jungle. 
 
Lapid’s compelling story highlights the tragic reality that daily incursions of clear-cutting in the jungle are often responsible for the destruction of potent and irreplaceable plant-based medicines, like the bark from Yara’s Tawari tree. 
I had high expectations for this book as I am a big fan of Lapid’s storytelling and Pasek’s marvelous art as seen in Lapid’s Snowman Paul series, but these two talented creatives have managed to delight and surprise me anyway, surpassing any such expectations. 

Lapid’s story is enchanting, and it is the perfect opening for discussions on the environment and the things that kids can do right now to be part of the solution. 
 
Pasek’s watercolors are glorious! Each jungle scene works so very well, and I found myself eagerly absorbing every detail, use of color and wash, and trick of light. Each panel is a work of art suitable for framing and hanging in a child’s room. 
 
Yara and her world come to life so vividly in this book, it makes it difficult to finally turn over the last page. Yara's Tawari Tree is most highly recommended.” —Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
 
“A story with a good ecological message and vibrant paintings...” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“This is a true story of heart! It makes for a great ‘green’ tale, as well as a moving lesson ...of the benefits of learning to live in harmony with our surroundings.” —Midwest Book Reviews
 
“a truly wonderful story with absolutely remarkable artwork... It hits all the marks that an educator or parents would want!”  —Briar's Reviews
 
“This quality children’s book should be in every home, classroom and elementary school library... It is a winner on every level.” —Story Wraps