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Through self-discovery a little girl realizes her life's meaning through nature!
I Am the Tree is a poignant story that brings a powerful message of our interconnectedness with nature to young readers. It is geared to children ages four to eight and releases July 2023.
In my story, a little girl feels that something is missing from her life and fears the turbulent world around her. Running away, she comes to the top of a mountain where she is overcome with the beauty before her. There, a tree calls her to rest and forget about her worries, and a nearby bumblebee whispers an extraordinary message - one that affirms the importance and unity of all living things.
For young children, the world can seem like a scary place—one of uncertainty, division, and anger. I was inspired to write this uplifting and powerful story to reassure young readers that we are all part of a greater harmony. Eloquent language and emotive illustrations demonstrate the interconnectedness of all beings and provide a wonderful opportunity for families and educators of young children to enjoy dialogue around hope, respect, and connection.
An extraordinary little girl who lives an ordinary life craves adventure, freedom, and love. Something in her life is missing. When the world around her turns scary, she retreats to a high mountaintop. By leaving behind society's anger and fear, the girl becomes mindful of the present moment. Mesmerized by the natural beauty surrounding her, she uncovers hope, comfort, freedom, and self-love through her senses and the elements of nature.
A beautiful story, I Am The Tree, follows a little girl's journey to find meaning in her life by connecting with nature. The plot exemplifies a compelling message of how humans are fundamentally linked with nature and with each other, something that many of us lack.
I appreciated Bauers' purposeful use of the four elements. This aids the protagonist in finding the peace and love that she requires-that we all require. Her fear gets washed away by the rain. The tree comforts her and the bumble bee offers a fresh outlook on the world. Upon completing her journey of self-discovery, the little girl understands that love is essential and that we are all united- that we are all one!
The story weaves a universal theme of interdependence that will bring comfort to readers of all ages. Amidst high tech and false narratives, I Am The Tree reminds us to appreciate the grandeur and legitimacy of our world. Bauer’s low key style offers children an earthy alternative to hand-held devices and clamorous social media.
Another strategy I appreciated was keeping the little girl's name anonymous. This gives young readers the opportunity to make a deeper connection to the story by filling in the blank with their own name.
Maris's superb illustrations are sweet and tranquil. They capture the magic and serenity of the story. The pictures of the tree particularly appealed to me.
Reviewed by
Hello, I'm a Pre-K Head Start Teacher, who writes and reviews children's picture books. I exclusively review children's picture books because I use my teacher hat to analyze the story and how it could be applied in the classroom.
Synopsis
I Am the Tree is a poignant story that brings a powerful message of our interconnectedness with nature to young readers. It is geared to children ages four to eight and releases July 2023.
In my story, a little girl feels that something is missing from her life and fears the turbulent world around her. Running away, she comes to the top of a mountain where she is overcome with the beauty before her. There, a tree calls her to rest and forget about her worries, and a nearby bumblebee whispers an extraordinary message - one that affirms the importance and unity of all living things.
For young children, the world can seem like a scary place—one of uncertainty, division, and anger. I was inspired to write this uplifting and powerful story to reassure young readers that we are all part of a greater harmony. Eloquent language and emotive illustrations demonstrate the interconnectedness of all beings and provide a wonderful opportunity for families and educators of young children to enjoy dialogue around hope, respect, and connection.
About the author
I Am the Tree is Kelly’s debut book inspired by her own experience in nature. A storyteller from the moment she could talk, she spun stories in rhymes and songs about the adventures of her family traveling the U.S. She loves getting lost in another world, another time, and another dimension. view profile
Published on July 01, 2023
Published by
0-1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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