How does Chelsea Fine use imagery in Sophie & Carter?

Imagery:

"The houses are small and crooked, but the trees are large and stand up tall. Large oaks stretch their canopies over the leaky roofs and peeling paint of the homes below, keeping the secrets in and the sunlight out."

"I'm sitting cross-legged on the damaged kitchen floor praying the sound of my thudding heart doesn't disturb the silence I know he needs right now."