Oh my goodness, this book!

Annette, the wonderful outdoor blogger at Four Acorns in Ireland, first brought it to my attention having bought it for her kids. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to review it for all you wonderful outdoor nature families who follow Kids of the Wild.

(But first – please don’t tell Caroline; I love this book so much I’m giving it to her for Christmas, so no spoilers her way please!!)

I am The Seed That Grew The Tree, is the perfect antidote to screen time in our high-tech world.

Image of illustrated book lying on table, titled I am The Seed That Grew The Tree

An anthology of 366 nature poems, one for every single day of the year, selected by Fiona Waters and brightly illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon, it’s not just about sowing the seeds of a love of nature, it’s about sowing a love of poetry and reading too.

It’s a surprisingly large hardback book with a ribbon to mark your place.

A poem a day

The clever concept of the collection is that it provides a seasonally themed poem for each day of the year that can be read in order by date, encouraging rhythm in family life much along the pedagogy of Steiner-Waldorf education.

The poems include the classics as well as modern writers plus nursery rhymes, carols, songs and haiku. Something for everyone.

Each month is indexed and there is also an index of authors and first lines at the back.

Image of double page spread of book showing index for February with two illustrated blue birds in corners

It can equally be dipped into at any time, be read at bedtime, by season or just by choosing an illustration and seeing what that poem is all about!

And the illustrations are beautiful, appealing to children, colourful and varied.

For all ages

  • Toddlers will love choosing illustrations for you to read to them
  • Early readers will enjoy trying to read the shorter verses
  • Older readers will love to show off their skills and read out loud to the family

Encourage a love of READING by reading to your children

Encourage a love of NATURE by immersing children IN nature

Encourage a love of POETRY by facilitating children to listen to and read poems

Boom! Three in one.

Image of page of book with poem and butterfly illustrations

I have already enjoyed reading the poems (when Caroline’s out with friends!) on the birth dates of friends and family. My hope is that we will read each day’s poem at dinner time, as a new gratitude/grace before meals family ritual.

Image of double page spread from poetry book with illustrations of pumpkins and squash

The book’s title is taken from the first line of a poem by Judith Nicholls which features in the September section.

Windsong

I am the seed
that grew the tree
to make the page
to fill the book
with poetry.

Judith Nicholls

Image of illustrated page from poetry book with owl and poem Be Like a Bird

Create a love of reading

One of the reasons I like I am The Seed That Grew The Tree is that it sums up Kids of the Wild’s ethos. It is a book for children, all about discovering nature through reading, which creates the learning and growth that leads all of us, children and adults alike, to transformation.

Image of double page spread from poetry book with illustrations of Chinese decorations and poems

I firmly believe that children who are read to regularly are more likely to develop a love of reading themselves, and those that love reading are more likely to lead richer and more fulfilled lives. A recent BritMums article on the importance of reading to our children discusses this further.

Wild wishes that we can encourage all our wildlings to love reading and nature

For more book reviews and gift ideas check out Kids of the Wild’s review pages and our outdoor kids gift guide 

For more inspiring poems check out the poetry pages or buy a book below.

Buy the book

Click on the link to buy this beautiful book at Amazon.

I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree

Buy it here

NB Kids of the Wild received a copy of the book for the purposes of review. All views and observations are my own.

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