Wake up, Little Pin! The story of a sleepy sapling

Loretta Garbutt, 1961-

Book - 2024

"When Mother Pin Oak, the hub tree of a deciduous forest wakes to crisp, spring air and cannot seem to stir her Little Pin Oak growing beside her, she seeks help from other members her forest community. As the rest of the forest slowly awakens, they come to Little Pin's aid: a busy squirrel carries Mother Pin's message through the forest; a vole digs tunnels in the soil, enabling nutrients to reach Little Pin's roots; a melted spring provides the sapling with a refreshing drink; fungi pass on nourishment through their underground network; a porcupine provides some fertilizing poop soup; and the warming sun lends its energy. Then, once their forest family has given as much as it can, they wait quietly ... until Little Pin... stretches the tips of his young limbs wide and lengthens the top of his crown, finally awake and ready for spring! On one level, readers of all ages will relate to this sweetly whimsical story of a mother urging her sleepy youngster to please wake up! But this is also a story about the wonders of nature, rooted (!) in an understanding of the ways trees take care of their families and the reciprocal relationships between plant and animal communities in forest ecosystems. In an opening Author's Note, Loretta explains her own discovery of tree families and how that inspired the writing of this story. Educational endmatter presents more information about trees, including how they communicate and interact with each other and their environment, as well as age-appropriate further reading suggestions. The complete manuscript was also reviewed by renowned botanist and author Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger (most famous for her insights into the hidden life of trees)."-- more