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New Life Provides Hope
Rooted: An Old Tree’s Journey is a picture book that follows an old oak tree named Dendro as he mentors a young sapling through the joys and heartbreaks of life in the forest. What inspired you to tell a story from the perspective of an old tree?
It’s important to show that Dendro prospers despite going through profound losses and challenges. Dendro models perseverance and the passing down of wisdom as a lifelong process.
How did you approach writing about trauma, like the fire, in a way that’s honest but still comforting for young readers?
Trauma can come unexpectedly (like the forest fire), or it can be a long process. Regardless, it is frightening and stressful. Any child who has gone through it can relate to Vince’s comment that weeks later, he could not get the crackling sound of the fire out of his mind. But when Vince notices green sprouts on the ground, it’s healing. New life provides hope for Vince and young readers.
Dendro feels so real and wise. Did you model him after someone in your life?
Those who know me well say that they see me in Dendro. It is true. I am my character. Through painful experiences, I have persevered and have found purpose in encouraging others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey is the fifth and final book in the “Rooted” series. It is currently available. It is an emotional account of a tree’s life that has come full circle.
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Rooted: An Old Tree’s Journey
Rooted is a gentle and heartwarming children’s book told from the perspective of an old oak tree named Dendro, who reflects on life, growth, loss, and love as he mentors a younger tree, Vince. Through seasons of change and challenges like storms, fires, and even bark beetles, Dendro shares wisdom gained over the years. Each chapter feels like a life lesson wrapped in leafy metaphors, and the whole story reads like a cozy fireside chat with your grandpa.
What I loved most about this picture book is how simple yet deep it is. I loved the scene where Dendro helps Vince welcome baby birds into his branches. Vince is hesitant at first. He’s not sure he wants the chaos of chirping chicks. But Dendro gently nudges him to see the joy in giving shelter. It’s such a sweet metaphor for parenthood, or mentorship, or just being there for someone even when it’s inconvenient. And later, when the birds leave, Vince feels that familiar pang of loss.
Another part that really stayed with me was the fire. The way Cranston writes about it, quick, scary, no warning, felt like how real-life tragedies hit. The tension builds fast, and Dendro’s panic for Vince is real. And when Vince says he still hears the crackling weeks later? That felt like a nod to trauma, how it lingers even after the danger’s passed. But there’s hope too. Green sprouts return. Forest friends come back. The illustrations in Rooted are absolutely charming. They’re soft, warm, and full of heart. They do such a lovely job of bringing the trees to life, especially Dendro. You can really see his emotions.
Rooted feels like a gentle hug in book form. It’s for anyone who’s been through something hard and needs a quiet reminder that scars mean survival. I’d recommend it to middle-grade readers, teachers, or honestly, any adult who loves a good metaphor and needs a slow, thoughtful read to remind them of life’s cycles.
Pages: 27 | ASIN: B0DFR2H644
LITERARY TITAN 