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Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees
An enchanting, fact-filled picture book for children aged 4-8 celebrating 12 of the world's national trees, including a global map of their location.
Discover how local people use each of the trees, their historical significance, the unique creatures that live in and around them and why they are so beloved.
Trees are symbols of growth, strength and endurance. Most countries have chosen a national tree that represents their resources, history and culture . . . and this nature book for kids celebrates 12 of them! From the animals and birds that live among them, to their folklore, legends and history,
India's its thick aerial roots create a respite for multigenerational communities.Chile's an ancient tree considered a bridge between this world and the spirit world.Canada's SUGAR a tree renowned for its brightly colored fall foliage (and the poems that have been written about it!).USA + England's a tree frequently struck by lightning, which is why it's associated with Zeus, hurler of thunderbolts.South Africa's Real a tree that became endangered when so much of its wood was used to make railroads and coffins.The Philippines' a tree that shows resilience and strength, symbolizing the Filipino people's struggle for independence.Other featured trees include Australia's GOLDEN WATTLE, Angola's BAOBAB, Peru and Ecuador's QUINA, Albania's OLIVE, Cuba's ROYAL PALM and China's Ginkgo.
With additional informative spreads at the back of the book and mapped endpapers showing the global reach of the trees, this book will teach young people and their families just how uniquely iconic, fabulous and beloved their national trees are to so many cultures around the world.
Discover how local people use each of the trees, their historical significance, the unique creatures that live in and around them and why they are so beloved.
Trees are symbols of growth, strength and endurance. Most countries have chosen a national tree that represents their resources, history and culture . . . and this nature book for kids celebrates 12 of them! From the animals and birds that live among them, to their folklore, legends and history,
India's its thick aerial roots create a respite for multigenerational communities.Chile's an ancient tree considered a bridge between this world and the spirit world.Canada's SUGAR a tree renowned for its brightly colored fall foliage (and the poems that have been written about it!).USA + England's a tree frequently struck by lightning, which is why it's associated with Zeus, hurler of thunderbolts.South Africa's Real a tree that became endangered when so much of its wood was used to make railroads and coffins.The Philippines' a tree that shows resilience and strength, symbolizing the Filipino people's struggle for independence.Other featured trees include Australia's GOLDEN WATTLE, Angola's BAOBAB, Peru and Ecuador's QUINA, Albania's OLIVE, Cuba's ROYAL PALM and China's Ginkgo.
With additional informative spreads at the back of the book and mapped endpapers showing the global reach of the trees, this book will teach young people and their families just how uniquely iconic, fabulous and beloved their national trees are to so many cultures around the world.
- GenresPicture Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Michelle Cusolito
7 books19 followersAuthor. Educator. Public Speaker. Science Communicator.
Michelle Cusolito is the award-winning author of Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN and Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. She joined a three-week research expedition to the North Atlantic with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to research for A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea. That expedition fueled her love of science communication and being at sea. Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas and In the World of Whales publish in 2025. Michelle dreams of swimming with whale sharks one day. www.michellecusolito.com
Michelle Cusolito is the award-winning author of Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN and Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. She joined a three-week research expedition to the North Atlantic with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to research for A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea. That expedition fueled her love of science communication and being at sea. Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas and In the World of Whales publish in 2025. Michelle dreams of swimming with whale sharks one day. www.michellecusolito.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Marya Wright
Rating: ★★★☆☆
I recently picked up Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees, and it’s a charming little book that offers a fresh perspective on some of the world’s most iconic trees. The book introduces readers to 12 national trees from various countries, sharing fascinating tidbits, ancient myths, and the special creatures that call these trees home.
For example, I learned that the Quina tree from Peru and Ecuador has bark that has helped save millions of lives from malaria, while the mighty Oak—celebrated in the USA, England, and Ireland—is famously struck by lightning and linked to thunder gods like Zeus. Then there’s the Olive tree of Albania, known for producing “liquid gold” — olive oil — prized for both its flavor and healing properties for over six millennia.
The book covers a diverse range of trees including India’s Banyan, Australia’s Golden Wattle, Angola’s Baobab (also called the Tree of Life), Canada’s Sugar Maple, and China’s Ginkgo, among others. Each tree is beautifully illustrated with rich, detailed artwork that really captures their unique qualities and the environments they thrive in. I also appreciated the inclusion of animals hidden in the illustrations, which adds an engaging layer of discovery.
What I particularly enjoyed was how the book balances informative content with storytelling. It doesn’t overwhelm you with facts but still manages to be educational and inspiring. The setup is clear, with symbols indicating the region of each tree, making it easy to navigate. Plus, there are solid references for further reading if you want to dive deeper.
Overall, Rooted in Wonder feels like a lovely addition to any nature lover’s collection or classroom library. It’s a gentle introduction to the cultural significance and ecological importance of national trees worldwide. If you’re looking for a book that blends art, science, and folklore in a neat package without being too dense, this one fits the bill nicely. A pleasant and informative read with beautiful illustrations.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: ★★★☆☆
I recently picked up Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees, and it’s a charming little book that offers a fresh perspective on some of the world’s most iconic trees. The book introduces readers to 12 national trees from various countries, sharing fascinating tidbits, ancient myths, and the special creatures that call these trees home.
For example, I learned that the Quina tree from Peru and Ecuador has bark that has helped save millions of lives from malaria, while the mighty Oak—celebrated in the USA, England, and Ireland—is famously struck by lightning and linked to thunder gods like Zeus. Then there’s the Olive tree of Albania, known for producing “liquid gold” — olive oil — prized for both its flavor and healing properties for over six millennia.
The book covers a diverse range of trees including India’s Banyan, Australia’s Golden Wattle, Angola’s Baobab (also called the Tree of Life), Canada’s Sugar Maple, and China’s Ginkgo, among others. Each tree is beautifully illustrated with rich, detailed artwork that really captures their unique qualities and the environments they thrive in. I also appreciated the inclusion of animals hidden in the illustrations, which adds an engaging layer of discovery.
What I particularly enjoyed was how the book balances informative content with storytelling. It doesn’t overwhelm you with facts but still manages to be educational and inspiring. The setup is clear, with symbols indicating the region of each tree, making it easy to navigate. Plus, there are solid references for further reading if you want to dive deeper.
Overall, Rooted in Wonder feels like a lovely addition to any nature lover’s collection or classroom library. It’s a gentle introduction to the cultural significance and ecological importance of national trees worldwide. If you’re looking for a book that blends art, science, and folklore in a neat package without being too dense, this one fits the bill nicely. A pleasant and informative read with beautiful illustrations.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 31 March 2026 - publication day!
This was a really informative book that was great to read.
The book has a general overview on trees and more specific details on a few well known tree species, along with some fantastic facts and a few animals to spot in the different tree illustrations. Some great sources to carry out further reading and research.
The books covered in the book include:
Banyan Tree - National Tree of India
Golden Wattle - National Tree of Australia
Baobab - National Tree of Angola, Cote d'Ivoire and the Central African Republic - known as the Tree of Life
Chilean Pine - National Tree of Chile
Sugar Maple - National Tree of Canada
Quina - National Tree of Peru and Ecuador
Oak - National Tree of England, Ireland and the USA
Real Yellowwood - National Tree of South Africa
Narra - National Tree of the Philippines - also known as the Rosewood Tree
Olive Tree - National Tree of Albania
Cuban Royal Palm - National Tree of Cuba
Ginkgo - National Tree of China
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
This was a really informative book that was great to read.
The book has a general overview on trees and more specific details on a few well known tree species, along with some fantastic facts and a few animals to spot in the different tree illustrations. Some great sources to carry out further reading and research.
The books covered in the book include:
Banyan Tree - National Tree of India
Golden Wattle - National Tree of Australia
Baobab - National Tree of Angola, Cote d'Ivoire and the Central African Republic - known as the Tree of Life
Chilean Pine - National Tree of Chile
Sugar Maple - National Tree of Canada
Quina - National Tree of Peru and Ecuador
Oak - National Tree of England, Ireland and the USA
Real Yellowwood - National Tree of South Africa
Narra - National Tree of the Philippines - also known as the Rosewood Tree
Olive Tree - National Tree of Albania
Cuban Royal Palm - National Tree of Cuba
Ginkgo - National Tree of China
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
April 17, 2026
This gives us portraits of a dozen trees that have National Tree status somewhere in the world, whether it be Britain, the Philippines or Southern America. After those – each with their own spread – we get a look at how trees work, followed by extra details and information, including notice of what birds were in the tree pictures. I think this works as a general look at the tree – so many animal books just focus on the superlative, and being called a National Tree is definitely one way to be declared a superlative, so this seems a fair way of selecting from the many options. You don't get a huge lot of variety or information into the tree in general – I don't think there was a single mention of deciduous or coniferous, etc – but you do get nudged into thinking how we have held these things in great esteem and damned well ought to keep on doing so.
Some of the four stars I'll give this is due to me not knowing another book doing exactly this, but it was getting to that rating regardless.
Some of the four stars I'll give this is due to me not knowing another book doing exactly this, but it was getting to that rating regardless.
December 1, 2025
Rooted in Wonder is a beautifully crafted introduction to the world of trees, inviting children and the adults who read with them to pause, look closely, and discover. Michelle Cusolito weaves accessible facts with a tone of gentle curiosity, helping young learners understand how trees grow, communicate, and shape the ecosystems they belong to.
The book’s illustrations are a standout feature. Rich, detailed artwork draws children in, encouraging them to linger on each page and notice the textures, colors, and small creatures that make forests come alive. The visuals work hand-in-hand with the text.
What sets this book apart is its balance of learning and wonder. It offers solid factual content without ever losing the sense of awe that makes nature so compelling for young minds.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
The book’s illustrations are a standout feature. Rich, detailed artwork draws children in, encouraging them to linger on each page and notice the textures, colors, and small creatures that make forests come alive. The visuals work hand-in-hand with the text.
What sets this book apart is its balance of learning and wonder. It offers solid factual content without ever losing the sense of awe that makes nature so compelling for young minds.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an electronic ARC from Moon + Bird through NetGalley.
Beautiful illustrations by Wright complement the text by Cusolito. Readers learn about the national trees of various countries. Each is described by looks and why they are important to all of us. The author then takes readers through the parts of a tree and how they work together to sustain life. I appreciate the brief paragraphs on the last pages that provide more detail on each type of tree. A delightful read together or read aloud though it can be read alone to study the details.
Beautiful illustrations by Wright complement the text by Cusolito. Readers learn about the national trees of various countries. Each is described by looks and why they are important to all of us. The author then takes readers through the parts of a tree and how they work together to sustain life. I appreciate the brief paragraphs on the last pages that provide more detail on each type of tree. A delightful read together or read aloud though it can be read alone to study the details.
March 31, 2026
4/5 Stars
This book offers a fantastic introduction to trees from around the world. The illustrations are stunning and do an excellent job of telling their own story about different regions and tree types. The facts are engaging and informative without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s the kind of book that makes learning feel natural, and I especially appreciated being able to enjoy and learn from it alongside my little one.
This book offers a fantastic introduction to trees from around the world. The illustrations are stunning and do an excellent job of telling their own story about different regions and tree types. The facts are engaging and informative without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s the kind of book that makes learning feel natural, and I especially appreciated being able to enjoy and learn from it alongside my little one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a magnificent introduction into the world of trees from different countries. The illustrations were very beautiful and added to the overall story. It was great to see the trees that were being talked about. There were also a lot of interesting facts that were presented in a way that was both engaging without being overwhelming. Great for school or home libraries.
November 13, 2025
Yes, I would recommend this book for a school library's collection. The illustrations were bright and inviting. I really liked learning new information about trees. This book would be great for lessons about nature, geography, and science. It was written in a way that I'm sure children would enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Through words and detailed illustrations, trees are given the respect they deserve. I believe this book would serve well in the classroom of all ages. It would also be a lovely addition to any tree lovers library.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There is a lot of information without it being overwhelming. I enjoyed the setup of info and area symbols. The art shows the uniqueness of each area.
4 stars
4 stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews