Book Review of Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Growing up, transformation, resilience, heritage, trees.
In this wise and contemplative story, the metaphor of a seedling helps to demonstrate the importance of the wisdom and support of elders in a family, the strength that comes from overcoming adversity, and the relationship between heritage and community.
Growing up is not easy for the little seedling. Luckily, the seedling has wise old Grandpa Oakey to look up to, to guide him and teach him, and support him when growing feels difficult. Through storms and growth spurts that make his trunk feel itchy, summer droughts, and the tricky task of deciding what his name should be when he becomes a tree, Grandpa always knows precisely the right thing to say to help the seedling grow strong and true.
Finally, the day of the “Seed to Tree” ceremony arrives. The seedling passes the three tests of treehood—he is tall enough, thick enough, and deeply rooted enough to name himself Dendro the Tree! Dendro will soon have to say goodbye to Grandpa Oakey, but now there are new seedlings to look up to him in turn!
The seedling is both uncertain and resilient, full of doubt but also full of trust, which makes him a character children can relate to as they face their own growing-up challenges. Although the story touches on challenging concepts such as pain and death, the woodland setting helps the discussion feel safe and distanced. Through the focus on natural cycles, it emphasizes that grief and pain never last forever—softly colored digital artwork further illustrates these cycles, showing the tree’s growth and endurance through different seasons.
As well as learning fascinating facts about trees, such as how tree rings tell a tree’s age and why deep roots are important, readers will also be encouraged to reflect on their own roots, challenges, and growth with a set of discussion questions at the end of the book encouraging them to think even more deeply about these concepts.
Simple, uplifting, and instructive, Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey is a wonderful starting point for discussions about growing up.
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About the Creator
Tammy Cranston served as a hospice bereavement volunteer for five years, offering support and services to patients and families. She’s devoted to helping others through some of life’s most difficult challenges. She authored the five-book Rooted series, which follows the journey of a seedling until it reaches old age as a wildlife tree. The series encourages readers to reflect on all stages of life, prompting introspection on personal growth. Along with The Children’s Book Review, Rooted has received five-star editorial reviews:
“For families and educators looking to build a child’s emotional intelligence and resilience, Rooted is a perfect choice.” –Literary Titan
“Clear, age-appropriate, character-building themes about caring, loss, and change.” –Kirkus Reviews
Previously, Cranston wrote Why Not Me? published by Teach Services, Inc., and recently co-authored The Blank Journal with her husband, Bob Cranston. Cranston loves to plan, implement, and preserve memories through photography, videography, and the written word.
For more information, visit tammycranston.com.
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