What kinds of illustrations are included in the first seven chapters of the novel and for what purpose?

The opening chapters also introduce Applegate’s use of illustrations to indicate the most important parts of the book to the reader. In the first seven chapters, most of the illustrations show drifting oak leaves and branches, adding beauty and interest to the chapter openings and closings. There are also illustrations to introduce major characters: Red appears on page 7, and Bongo on pages 14 and 16. Finally, the largest illustration, one that covers an entire page, shows Red fully dressed in wishes on page 10. These illustrations help draw the reader’s attention to the most important parts of the opening chapters, establish the natural setting of the novel's events, the first principal characters, and the community tradition of the wishtree.