Clear, age-appropriate, character-building themes about caring, loss, and change.
A seedling learns life lessons as it grows into a tree in Cranston’s children’s book.
In this simple but thoughtful story, a seedling dreams of becoming a big oak tree—if only he can grow enough to pass the “Seed to Tree” ceremony that makes it official. His mentor Grandpa Oakey, offering wisdom and encouragement, reassures the seedling when he faces challenges. During a dramatic storm, when “Lightning flashes and the sky screams, ‘BOOM, BOOM, BOOM,’” Grandpa Oakey yells, “‘Stay rooted, little one,’” as the seedling fights to survive. This phrase will become especially meaningful when the seedling realizes it is his turn to take on the role of mentor. Wilting during a hot summer in the forest, the seedling wonders how he can “become a tree with a broken limb and droopy leaves”; Grandpa Oakley’s kind owl friends fly in buckets of water to help. With a dash of whimsy, Cranston teaches young readers about developing inner strength, respect, and empathy for others, and loss is presented as part of the natural cycle of life. Alternating with pages of text set against a light blue background, full-page, colorful digital illustrations offer playful and dramatic visual touches, including the trees’ expressive faces; whirls of heavy wind and jagged lightning bolts; and a possum, squirrels, and an earthworm helping the seedling in his “Seed to Tree” ceremony. (The book’s limited real-life plant lore includes the seedling’s eventual name, “Dendro,” which is inspired by Grandpa Oakey’s explanation of “dendrochronology,” the process of determining a tree’s age by counting its rings after it dies.) The text includes a “Discussion Questions” section that young readers can ponder or adults can use as conversation starters to engage children in expressing how they relate to aspects of Dendro’s experiences: “Dendro looked up to Grandpa Oakey. Who do you look up to, and why?”
Clear, age-appropriate, character-building themes about caring, loss, and change.Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2024
ISBN: 9798991499323
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world.
Be a “somebody” who makes a difference!
A Black child witnesses various transgressions over the course of a day. Noticing trash on the walk to the bus stop, the young narrator thinks, “Somebody should do something about that.” Two students push their way ahead of everyone else in order to get good seats on the school bus, prompting the child to muse, “Somebody should speak up about that.” Throughout the day, the child notices examples of bullying and unfairness. These seemingly minor infractions start mounting. Finally, when the protagonist’s teacher tells the students that it’s snack time, the narrator notices that some students don’t have anything to eat. Instead of wishing for a “somebody,” the perceptive pupil realizes, “I am Somebody” and shares food with the others. The epiphany doesn’t stop there. When the narrator arrives home and notices there are toys everywhere but Mom is on a work call, the child responds to Mom’s request for help by cleaning up the mess. Accompanied by simple yet expressive illustrations, this is a loving and much-needed story that encourages kids to make a difference; pair it with Joshunda Sanders’ I Can Write the World (2019), illustrated by Charly Palmer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780762480517
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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