The Seeking Tree


Children - Picture Book
36 Pages
Reviewed on 08/01/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Jodi Dee is a multi award winning Author, regular columnist for Bay State Parent Magazine, and an avid blogger. She is a mother of three with more than 20 years’ experience in early childhood and education. Jodi has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology & History and a Master’s in Education from Clark University. She is a passionate advocate and teacher of emotional maturity, early childhood education, and empowering children to learn through creativity, autonomy, self-exploration, and discovery.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Cloie Belle Daffon for Readers' Favorite

The Seeking Tree by Jodi Dee starts with a breathtaking illustration of a forest filled with beautifully painted trees and distinctively drawn animals. A young sapling was slowly growing among the trees and was excited to learn about the world. It wished to get to know every creature it saw; however, every human passing by was too busy to pay even the slightest attention to it. As the years passed and the world evolved, humans only focused on their creations and seemed to have forgotten the beauty and importance of the nature around them. As the young sapling grew into a tall tree, it continued to wonder when the day would come when the humans would notice it. Will humans ever learn to appreciate sublime nature? Learn the importance of connecting with nature in The Seeking Tree.

The Seeking Tree was both fascinating and eye-opening to read. It is appropriate for children and parents to read since it perfectly explains the value of appreciating and protecting nature, which is currently one of the world's ongoing concerns. The images, co-illustrated by Kaya Oldaker, perfectly depicted the beauty of nature and helped communicate the sapling's needs throughout the story. The skillfully done artwork held my attention and brought the story to life. Reading this book was an entirely new and life-changing experience. It is often tough to persuade people to stop and appreciate nature, but this book reminded me of the beauty of nature that we have often overlooked. This gentle and heartwarming tale imparted an essential and profound message I will never forget. Reading this has been a balm to my soul, and I can't wait for more work done by this talented author and illustrator.

Munir Muhammad

The Seeking Tree by Jodi Dee will resonate with readers of all ages. It describes a conversation between a younger and an older tree. The young tree wants to enjoy the presence of all other living creatures, to connect with all things that pass by. But while most animals, birds, and even insects sit with the small tree, humans do not. In a repeated phrase, the seeking tree asks humans, "Will you sit with us?" An elder tree replies, "Humans are too busy;" namely, traveling, setting up infrastructure, producing food, and using technologies. The tree patiently waits and watches for a thousand years. Follow its magical journey through history as humanity evolves and trees begin to disappear slowly. In the end, the tree stands alone and is finally approached by a human family in space suits, who sit with the tree and gather its seeds, hopeful for the future. We are part of a complex and connected ecosystem. Our planet's abundant resources are not limitless; a delicate balance of give and take exists. The story also tells us that some of the oldest living things on our planet are trees.

What a beautiful story and a wonderful message! Jodi Dee’s writing style is charming, with gorgeous painted illustrations highlighting the natural world’s beauty, drawing readers' attention to the richly depicted world of The Seeking Tree. The impact of the images and the frustration of the seeking tree's repeated words emphasize the message of how important it is to communicate with the natural world. It would be hard to imagine a world without magnificent trees beside us. It reminds us to respect our natural world. Trees are an important part of this world. The Seeking Tree shows readers how to appreciate nature.

Alex Ndirangu

Trees are amazing. They help clean the air, support wildlife, nourish the soil, and provide fruit and shade. Jodi Dee's The Seeking Tree is about one that lives for over a thousand years. The bald cypress sapling sprouts deep in the jungle sometime in the 1700s. The young tree can't wait to commune with everything and anything nearby. It draws birds, bears, foxes, bunnies, squirrels, and insects. But the young tree is sad because the humans passing by never stop to give it attention. They are busy hunting, gathering, making homes, building roads, fighting, and using machines. The years go by, and millions and millions of trees are cleared to create space for farming, roads, and megacities until only the cypress and a few other trees are left. Can someone still try to save the trees, or is it too late? Find out in this gorgeously illustrated adventure that goes beyond a thousand years into the future.

In an adventure-packed tale, Jodi Dee's The Seeking Tree introduces young readers to the life, hope, and wonder every tree brings to our planet. With a tree around, we can have birds singing near us every morning in their nests. A swing can even be hung from one of its limbs. You do not need a yard filled with trees to teach your little one about the importance of doing their part to help stop tree decline. This lovely picture book is packed with plenty of information to share. With intriguing word choices and vivid and unique illustrations, The Seeking Tree offers a quiet yet stunningly moving story that sheds light on ongoing environmental threats, cultivates empathy, and inspires environmental awareness in the next generation. It's perfect for Earth Day and a great way to make your family environmentally friendly and encourage your little one to plant trees.