When Tree Became a Tree

by Rob Hodgson

Meet Tree! Follow along as she guides us through her life cycle in this charming and humorous nonfiction picture book.

Following the success of When Cloud Became a Cloud and When Moon Became the Moon comes Rob Hodgson’s next long-form picture book about an apple tree’s life cycle. This delightfully fun exploration of trees both informs and entertains, and helps young readers make sense of the world around them. The charming protagonist, Tree, sparsely narrates her story in ten short chapters with text bubbles and vignettes sprinkled in to provide wit, style, and humor. Young audiences will immediately connect to the colorful, whimsical art and welcome a sense of accomplishment in devouring this unexpected yet wholly accessible scientific book.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature

64 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Rob Hodgson is an illustrator and designer with a deep interest in how and why we make pictures. He grew up on a healthy dose of skateboarding and Morrissey in an English seaside town. He now lives in Bristol with his girlfriend and two highly intelligent cats.

oday he lives in Bristol where he spends his days making a mess and turning it into quality illustration projects and books. He cites Yoko Ono, Ed Templeton and Arthur Russell among his influences.

Reviews

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this one! I think the anthropomophizing of the tree is very cute, while still sharing real information. This is assessable science for 3 - 5 year olds! The mycorrhizal network is part of the book as is photosynthesis and the seasons and pollination and reproduction! The book is a bit longer and has very short "chapters" each dealing with a topic on the way from seed, sprout, tree and more. Preschool teachers, don't let that format scare you -- this is a one sitting read full of fun science.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nonfic almost easy reader about tees and how they grow. I thought the simple text and explanations were perfect for younger readers who want to know about seeds and what trees need. It's a pretty basic level of info so not for the older kids, but I liked that they could actually read the book themselves as many nonfic are too hard for younger readers. Big bright colors, some graphic novel type speech bubbles. Over all a approachable book.

[The Coat · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book that hits all the right notes of sweet engaging art, lovely gentle story, not too simple not too complex, and actual decent true information about how seeds germinate and trees reproduce. also integrates new tree research about how they talk thru their roots and with mushrooms n shit. #yesrhizome

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully done book about the life cycle of an apple tree, written especially for younger children in the preschool-1st grade age range. The text was age-appropriate without being overly simplistic or dumbed down, and the illustrations were excellent. This is an age group that needs more intelligently written books about non-fiction topics!

[Elissa Luckhardt]

Goes through the life cycles and aspects of trees, what they are, what they do, etc

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy-to-read chapter book is fabulous! Lots of nature and tree science, but plenty of heart.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as "When Cloud Became a Cloud."
Factual, adorable, love it.