Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey follows a tiny seedling with a big dream; to grow tall and strong, like the grand trees surrounding him, and his journey to grow his roots deep. What was the inspiration for your story?

My first inspiration for Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey occurred when I looked for a book about trees to give my great-niece when she turned four. That was more than a decade ago! I remember feeling sad when I left the bookstore because I did not find what I was looking for.  There was no relatable book for children about majestic trees–their size, their role in nature, and their perseverance. ‘Depending on the species, trees outlive humans, so what stories they could tell,’ I thought.

Living in the country additionally inspired me to write the “Rooted” series. I remember looking at the many seedlings in the forest and saying to myself, ‘They want to become tall, massive oaks someday, but unfortunately, not all of them will survive or thrive in the environment they are in.’  This thought prompted the direction of my series. Why do we thrive? Isn’t it because someone encouraged us, set an example for us, believed in us, and brought out the best in us until we found our way? And so, Rooted: A Seedling’s Journey was born–a heartwarming story about a seedling who fulfilled its dream to become a tree. In life, we never reach success solely on our own, so my vision included inspiring young minds to think about the value of generational relationships, perseverance, and the role encouragement plays in finding one’s purpose.

Grief, unexpected changes, and a purpose-driven life have been integral to my life’s journey.  I am thankful for those who have encouraged me along the way, and I now find purpose in encouraging others.  I include discussion questions at the end of my stories to prompt further dialogue between the reader and child on essential topics.  

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Rooted:  A Seedling’s Journey is a book about the value of relationships, goals, and the role encouragement plays in achieving one’s goals.  Additionally, it introduces the concepts of grief, gratitude, and change to young children in a relatable way.  

Will there be a follow-up book to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?

Initially, I didn’t plan for a follow-up, but I had more lessons to share on growth and perseverance, so it evolved into a five-book series.  The following are sequels with individual themes on topics such as valuing relationships, our role in protecting our environment, endurance, and maintaining a sense of purpose as our lives and circumstances change:
Rooted:  A Young Tree’s Journey (available now)
Rooted:  A Mature Tree’s Journey (available now)
Rooted:  An Old Tree’s Journey (coming soon)
Rooted:  A Wildlife Tree’s Journey (coming soon)

What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing? 

I love the scene in which the seedling complains about being itchy and uncomfortable as rough, crusty spots begin to cover its trunk.  Grandpa Oakey says, “Being uncomfortable can be a good thing.”  Transitions can be difficult!  

Author Links: Facebook | Website | Book Review