A Silver Maple sapling took root in the idyllic Rainbow Lake community in Ridgefield. Over time, many families would live near the tree and play under its branches. The tree grew and grew until it was so massive and impressive that the Botanical Society issued a Certificate of Commendation.
Not long ago, Gayle Glecker’s young granddaughter, Genevieve, moved into the house under the tree. She came to love the tree. One day, a tree doctor examined the mighty maple and reported the sad news. The tree was decaying and needed to be cut down. Genevieve, far from alone in her sadness, joined her family and neighbors in a goodbye gathering under the tree.
This is the story of the beloved Rainbow Tree that inspired Gleckler and Clarice Shirvell’s new picture book.
Author Gayle Gleckler is a local celebrity living in North Salem. She is a noted artist, writer, film director and advertising executive. She authored two previous children’s books, Milo, My Stray Cat and Momoirs, a collection of short stories about motherhood. She also was the co-writer of the cult film, “The Lords of Flatbush,” Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler’s first movie.
The Rainbow Tree grew out of a poem Gleckler wrote for her long-time writing group at The Westport Writers Workshop. When sharing the whimsical poem with the group, they declared it would make a wonderful children’s book. Gleckler was inspired! She immediately set forth reworking the story and went in search of an artist illustrator. She found the perfect match in artist Clarice Shirvell, who, like Gleckler, is a member of Ridgefield Guild of Artists and, as it turns out, is herself an enduring fan of beloved Rainbow Tree as a longtime resident of the Rainbow Lake Community.
The children’s picture book was released in April and is available at Books on the Common and Ridgefield Guild of Artists in Ridgefield. A portion of the proceeds will support the Rainbow Lake Association.
An author and illustrator signing will be held at Books on The Common, 404 Main St., Ridgefield, on Saturday, May 4, from noon to 2 p.m.