It's early spring, and Mother Pin Oak enlists the help of her forest family to wake her sleepy sapling. When Mother Pin Oak wakes to crisp, spring air and cannot seem to stir her Little Pin Oak growing beside her, she seeks help from other members of her forest community. 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. Little by little their forest family gives as much as it can and then, 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! Lush and lively art brings the forest family to life in this sweetly whimsical story about the wonders of nature. An author's note in the opening pages explains the author's discovery of tree families and educational back matter presents more information about trees and age-appropriate further reading suggestions. AGES: 4 to 7 AUTHOR: Loretta Garbutt once worked as a storyteller, bookseller, and reviewer at a children's bookstore. Surrounded by so many wonderful stories, she was inspired to write some of her own. She is also the author of Jeffrey Loves Blue. Loretta lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario, and writes wherever she happens to be. Marianne Ferrer was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada as a child with her family, trading forests of mango trees for the oaks and maples that inspire her beautiful, nature-filled watercolor illustrations. She currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her husband. SELLING POINTS: . STEM connections to biodiversity, animal adaptations, seasons, and nature . Encourages social-emotional learning with themes that explore the importance of family and community and the value of supporting others . An accessible introduction to bio-communication and forest resilience that introduces young readers to the recent scientific study of tree communication . Back matter includes further reading suggestions
