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Rooty the Rutabaga #1
Rooty the Rutabaga: A Story About Vegetables, Inclusion and Seeing the Sunny Side of Life
Nobody knows what kind of veggie he is. But will kindness help him find his place in the sun?
Rooty feels sad. Hearing the other vegetables laugh and play without him, the strange little rutabaga longs to be included. So when their catch-and-throw game tosses a nut his way, the lonely plant seizes his chance to meet new friends.
Confused at first by the curious pair of peppers who come across to retrieve their toy, Rooty accepts their invitation to join in the fun. But feeling awkward among the popular carrots and terrific tomatoes, he worries he doesn’t belong.
Can he shake off his nerves and find a wonderful patch of pals?
Rooty the Rutabaga is the first tale in the Rooty the Rutabaga children’s book series, suitable for ages 3-8 and can be read as a standalone. Including an activity section filled with fun facts, if you and your child like cute characters, beautifully illustrated images, and learning positive messages, then you’ll love Steven Megson’s well-tended plot.
Buy Rooty the Rutabaga today for a sweet story of friendship!
Rooty feels sad. Hearing the other vegetables laugh and play without him, the strange little rutabaga longs to be included. So when their catch-and-throw game tosses a nut his way, the lonely plant seizes his chance to meet new friends.
Confused at first by the curious pair of peppers who come across to retrieve their toy, Rooty accepts their invitation to join in the fun. But feeling awkward among the popular carrots and terrific tomatoes, he worries he doesn’t belong.
Can he shake off his nerves and find a wonderful patch of pals?
Rooty the Rutabaga is the first tale in the Rooty the Rutabaga children’s book series, suitable for ages 3-8 and can be read as a standalone. Including an activity section filled with fun facts, if you and your child like cute characters, beautifully illustrated images, and learning positive messages, then you’ll love Steven Megson’s well-tended plot.
Buy Rooty the Rutabaga today for a sweet story of friendship!
31 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2022
About the author
Steven Megson
9 books3 followersSteven Megson is a children's book author who lives in Newmarket, Canada with his wife and daughter. When he is not busy working on his next writing adventure, he enjoys reading, watching movies with his family and building very large pillow forts.
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Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 19, 2022
A nice picture book about the danger of assumptions.
Rooty the rutabaga lives a solitary life in a dark corner of the garden. He knows the other vegetables are laughing at him, and this makes him sad and grumpy. However, one day, when the two bell peppers end up interacting with him and dragging him to play, Rooty realises that the other vegetables didn’t even know about him, forget about making fun of him.
Many times, kids are afraid of taking the first step towards friendship in fear of rejection. Rooty’s story will teach them that most of the times, our assumptions about people’s reactions are baseless, and we will never know the truth unless we make a genuine attempt first.
This is the first of the Rooty the Rutabaga series; each book can be read as a standalone. A straightforward yet fun indie work, the story delivers to a great extent. The various vegetables will add to the learning potential of the book. There are some nice facts and activities at the end of the book.
The illustrations are cute enough. I especially loved the “couch potatoes”, though kids might not understand the relevance of that inside joke.
The vocabulary is very easy, perfect for the target age of 3-8 years.
Overall, a quick and light story from unusual character perspectives.
3.75 stars.
The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
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Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Rooty the rutabaga lives a solitary life in a dark corner of the garden. He knows the other vegetables are laughing at him, and this makes him sad and grumpy. However, one day, when the two bell peppers end up interacting with him and dragging him to play, Rooty realises that the other vegetables didn’t even know about him, forget about making fun of him.
Many times, kids are afraid of taking the first step towards friendship in fear of rejection. Rooty’s story will teach them that most of the times, our assumptions about people’s reactions are baseless, and we will never know the truth unless we make a genuine attempt first.
This is the first of the Rooty the Rutabaga series; each book can be read as a standalone. A straightforward yet fun indie work, the story delivers to a great extent. The various vegetables will add to the learning potential of the book. There are some nice facts and activities at the end of the book.
The illustrations are cute enough. I especially loved the “couch potatoes”, though kids might not understand the relevance of that inside joke.
The vocabulary is very easy, perfect for the target age of 3-8 years.
Overall, a quick and light story from unusual character perspectives.
3.75 stars.
The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
September 16, 2023
Sweet story of vegetables
Rooty is angry because he is not as popular as the other vegetables and he finds it difficult to join them.
However when two Peppers lose a nut and Rooty finds it, things change.
Nice illustrations and sweet story for children.
Rooty is angry because he is not as popular as the other vegetables and he finds it difficult to join them.
However when two Peppers lose a nut and Rooty finds it, things change.
Nice illustrations and sweet story for children.
June 10, 2022
The sweetness of peppers will make you melt.
In a garden full of happy and playful veggies, an unknown, unseen one lives in the dark - Rutabaga, a.k.a. Rooty. Rooty is grumpy and has never seen the sun. One day, the peppers found a nut and red pepper threw the nut far and high to test his strength. The nut disappears. The peppers go looking for it and venture into Rooty's territory, but Rooty is unhappy about the intruders. Peppers aren't willing to give up their newfound company. They force Rooty and bring him up to see the sunshine. Finally, Rooty joins the other veggies and laughs for the first time.
A simple story that talks about inclusiveness, friendship and compassion. The illustrations are brilliant and skillfully capture the emotions of the veggies. The book has some interesting facts and activities at the end.
Lovely addition to the kindness bookshelf.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books
In a garden full of happy and playful veggies, an unknown, unseen one lives in the dark - Rutabaga, a.k.a. Rooty. Rooty is grumpy and has never seen the sun. One day, the peppers found a nut and red pepper threw the nut far and high to test his strength. The nut disappears. The peppers go looking for it and venture into Rooty's territory, but Rooty is unhappy about the intruders. Peppers aren't willing to give up their newfound company. They force Rooty and bring him up to see the sunshine. Finally, Rooty joins the other veggies and laughs for the first time.
A simple story that talks about inclusiveness, friendship and compassion. The illustrations are brilliant and skillfully capture the emotions of the veggies. The book has some interesting facts and activities at the end.
Lovely addition to the kindness bookshelf.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books
August 23, 2022
Rooty the rutabaga is all alone. He sits in a dark patch of the garden, away from all the other vegetables. Rooty has no friends and has never ventured out of his garden corner to discover what is making all the noise he hears on the other side of the plants. Then, one day two peppers are playing and accidentally throw their nut over into Rooty’s corner of the garden. While looking for their nut, they meet Rooty, who is initially rude and unfriendly. Not to be dissuaded, the peppers lead Rooty out into the sun and introduce him to all the rest of the vegetables. Soon he is making friends and learning how to play for the first time ever.
Children’s author Steven Megson has created an entertaining picture book with illustrator Andy Yura to teach kids about inclusion. Kids usually hear about the more common vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes, which are all friends and grow in the bright sun. However, rutabaga is a vegetable that many kids have never heard of. It has a strange name and looks really different. Megson uses this to teach children that even thorough someone is other, they are still part of the community.
The moment that stood out for me was when Rooty was rude to the peppers; they thought about leaving him alone and returning to their friends. Instead, they saw Rooty was lonely and afraid. So they took his hands and led him to meet the rest of their community. It was more than just being kind; it was seeing someone that needed help and taking a chance on them. This is a motivating story to help children learn to identify others needing help and show them ways that, even as children, they can make a difference in their world.
Rooty the Rutabaga: A Story About Vegetables, Inclusion and Seeing the Sunny Side of Life is a heartwarming picture book that children and adults can appreciate and learn from. This is an excellent children’s book for school classrooms and libraries to teach about multicultural groups and the value of kindness.
Children’s author Steven Megson has created an entertaining picture book with illustrator Andy Yura to teach kids about inclusion. Kids usually hear about the more common vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes, which are all friends and grow in the bright sun. However, rutabaga is a vegetable that many kids have never heard of. It has a strange name and looks really different. Megson uses this to teach children that even thorough someone is other, they are still part of the community.
The moment that stood out for me was when Rooty was rude to the peppers; they thought about leaving him alone and returning to their friends. Instead, they saw Rooty was lonely and afraid. So they took his hands and led him to meet the rest of their community. It was more than just being kind; it was seeing someone that needed help and taking a chance on them. This is a motivating story to help children learn to identify others needing help and show them ways that, even as children, they can make a difference in their world.
Rooty the Rutabaga: A Story About Vegetables, Inclusion and Seeing the Sunny Side of Life is a heartwarming picture book that children and adults can appreciate and learn from. This is an excellent children’s book for school classrooms and libraries to teach about multicultural groups and the value of kindness.
April 13, 2022
Rooty the Rutabaga is a very cute and shy root vegetable. He lives out on the edge of a garden that’s filled with happy vegetables. Rooty hears the other vegetables as they are out playing in the sunshine on a beautiful day. Rooty hears them laughing and imagines that they are laughing at him. He knows that he’s not one of the popular vegetables. One day the vegetables accidently lose the nut that they are using for a ball. It lands on Rooty’s head and he’s not happy. When the red and orange pepper venture out to the edge of the garden, they come upon Rooty. Rooty is rude because he thinks they don’t like him, but then they invite him to go and see what they’ve been doing. Rooty agrees, but is a little nervous. What will he find? Will he have friends or be laughed at?
This is a great little book that teaches kindness and inclusion. I recommend this adorably illustrated book. Kids will love it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This is a great little book that teaches kindness and inclusion. I recommend this adorably illustrated book. Kids will love it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
February 5, 2024
This is a tale of false perceptions. Rooty the Rutabaga wants to veg out in the dark part of a garden while the other vegetables are out playing in the sun. He hears them laughing all the time and believes they are laughing at him perceiving himself as the ugly vegetable. He stays where he is and never ventures out for this reason. One day, two of the other vegetables, a red pepper and a yellow pepper, are playing and accidentally toss a nut that hits Rooty on the head. They encounter Rooty in the search for the nut and pepper him about what he is doing. After some discussion, Rooty realizes he has been wrong about his perception of the other vegetables and goes out to join them in their play. There is at least one pun in the narrative regarding two potatoes reading on a couch. Maybe Rooty was meant as a pun also, as he is rude to the peppers at first. Surprisingly, none of the peppers are doctors. The moral of the story is don’t be a vegetable even if you are a vegetable.
December 20, 2022
One Line: Such a fun little picture book with great illustrations.
Rooty the Rutabaga is a root vegetable in the far end of the vegetable patch who is alone. He keeps hearing the noises made by other vegetables and keeps assuming that they are making fun of him. One sunny day, a small throwing mishap by the red pepper makes him come out and talk to red pepper and his friend yellow pepper. He steps out of his zone on their insistence and what a difference it makes
This is such a wonderful book which tells the kids to not be scared and go out and explore. The language is simple and the illustrations are great. It sure will hold the attention of the little ones. I would love to read the other ones in the series. Thanks to my friend Rosh whose review brought me to this cute little book
My rating - 4
Rooty the Rutabaga is a root vegetable in the far end of the vegetable patch who is alone. He keeps hearing the noises made by other vegetables and keeps assuming that they are making fun of him. One sunny day, a small throwing mishap by the red pepper makes him come out and talk to red pepper and his friend yellow pepper. He steps out of his zone on their insistence and what a difference it makes
This is such a wonderful book which tells the kids to not be scared and go out and explore. The language is simple and the illustrations are great. It sure will hold the attention of the little ones. I would love to read the other ones in the series. Thanks to my friend Rosh whose review brought me to this cute little book
My rating - 4
May 23, 2022
Rooty, the rutabaga, lives in an isolated part of the garden. Secretly, he longs to be included with the other vegetables.
One day, the peppers are playing catch with a nut that strays into Rooty's area. They persuade him to visit the sunny part of the garden where he meets the other vegetables. Will Rooty be accepted? What can he learn?
This is an adorable picture book. Many don't know what a rutabaga is, but my family always included it in Thanksgiving dinner. Readers learn a lot about vegetables and are given some fun activities to play with at the end of the story. Primary and elementary school-age readers learn about friendship, inclusivity, and vegetable choices.
I highly recommend the book.
One day, the peppers are playing catch with a nut that strays into Rooty's area. They persuade him to visit the sunny part of the garden where he meets the other vegetables. Will Rooty be accepted? What can he learn?
This is an adorable picture book. Many don't know what a rutabaga is, but my family always included it in Thanksgiving dinner. Readers learn a lot about vegetables and are given some fun activities to play with at the end of the story. Primary and elementary school-age readers learn about friendship, inclusivity, and vegetable choices.
I highly recommend the book.
September 20, 2022
Rooty the Rutabaga is a children’s book and is about a root vegetable that isn’t very popular. Root is in the dark part of the garden and does not feel included with all the known vegetables. Together with all of the other existing vegetables, they find a way to include Root, teaching children about inclusivity and friendship.
The book has excellent illustrations and colorful pages, ensuring the young mind keeps reading and looking at the pictures.
The author has picked a beautiful story to tell. Not only does the child know more about vegetables, but it also learns acceptance and to love everyone as equals.
I recommend this book to parents looking for good reading material for their children.
The book has excellent illustrations and colorful pages, ensuring the young mind keeps reading and looking at the pictures.
The author has picked a beautiful story to tell. Not only does the child know more about vegetables, but it also learns acceptance and to love everyone as equals.
I recommend this book to parents looking for good reading material for their children.
January 10, 2024
Rooty the Rutabaga hides in a dark part of the garden where no other vegetable is. He hears them shouting but does not know why. One day Red Pepper and Yellow Pepper wander into that part of the garden looking for a nut they were playing with only to discover Rooty who is angry because their nut hit him. They invite him to join them and their friends. Rooty is not sure but comes out and meets the others and finds out what he has been missing. What has Rooty been missing?
I enjoyed this story. Rooty was adorable. I liked that the other vegetables invited him to join them even though they had never seen a rutabaga before.
The illustrations are gorgeous. I look forward to reading more of Rooty's adventures.
I enjoyed this story. Rooty was adorable. I liked that the other vegetables invited him to join them even though they had never seen a rutabaga before.
The illustrations are gorgeous. I look forward to reading more of Rooty's adventures.
April 8, 2022
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started reading this book, I instantly fell in love with the illustrations. They are SO. CUTE.
With this book you can really teach children to be kind, even if someone is unknown to you or looks a bit different.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
I would've loved for the story to be a bit more complex and for Rooty to maybe overcome some more obstacles, that would make the story more powerful.
When I first started reading this book, I instantly fell in love with the illustrations. They are SO. CUTE.
With this book you can really teach children to be kind, even if someone is unknown to you or looks a bit different.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
I would've loved for the story to be a bit more complex and for Rooty to maybe overcome some more obstacles, that would make the story more powerful.
January 9, 2024
Sweet story with fun games at finish
First, I thought it was great fun introducing a vegetable few know or think about. The idea that he's growing in a wild, separate part of the garden makes it logical that none of the other playing vegetables have associated with him previously. Nobody's nasty here, just unaware.
The art is colorful, focused and fun.
And I really think that the child reader will enjoy doing the added activities at the end.
First, I thought it was great fun introducing a vegetable few know or think about. The idea that he's growing in a wild, separate part of the garden makes it logical that none of the other playing vegetables have associated with him previously. Nobody's nasty here, just unaware.
The art is colorful, focused and fun.
And I really think that the child reader will enjoy doing the added activities at the end.
February 8, 2022
so cute !!!!
This book is so cute !!! What a perfect way to teach kids and people to be kind even when people are mean to you ! The illustrations and colors are adorable and I like the characters . I also like that there are a few activities at the end of the book.
This book is so cute !!! What a perfect way to teach kids and people to be kind even when people are mean to you ! The illustrations and colors are adorable and I like the characters . I also like that there are a few activities at the end of the book.
July 7, 2022
It's a cute book that quickly teaches that differences don't mean you can't make friends. The illustrations are beautifully done and match what is going on in the story.
I would put the age group and 4 to 6 year olds, some of the words may be too advanced for younger children.
I would put the age group and 4 to 6 year olds, some of the words may be too advanced for younger children.
January 10, 2024
Fun story
This was a great little story about showing someone the fun side of things when they already have a negative attitude. Fun book with cute characters! I love that they were veggies!
This was a great little story about showing someone the fun side of things when they already have a negative attitude. Fun book with cute characters! I love that they were veggies!
May 23, 2022
Rooty the Rutabaga : A Story About Vegetables, Inclusion and Seeing the Sunny Side of Life by Steven Megson – This was a Bookbub freebie. Cute veggie tale! Happy Reading!
September 7, 2022
Grand babies loved listening to me tell the story! A fun two minutes at a time! Three evenings and we were done!
September 10, 2022
educations fine and cute
Great book can’t wait to read the rest my daughters loves it and the little extra activities after the book was over.
Great book can’t wait to read the rest my daughters loves it and the little extra activities after the book was over.
November 3, 2022
sometimes we should approach someone else first to feel the real experience
December 13, 2022
i love the art style aaa the colors are so vibrant and cute!!
January 15, 2023
Too short and doesn't feel like a full-formed story. Rooty is a recluse and is invited by some bell peppers to join the other vegetables in hanging out.
May 7, 2023
Rooty!
How fun to read about vegetables playing in the sun. What Rooty needed was to make some happy new friends to play in the sun with.
How fun to read about vegetables playing in the sun. What Rooty needed was to make some happy new friends to play in the sun with.
May 20, 2023
What's a Rutabaga?
This is a cute children's book. It's a good book to teach about vegetables. It's also good to teach about colors. It's a short read.
This is a cute children's book. It's a good book to teach about vegetables. It's also good to teach about colors. It's a short read.
January 8, 2024
Rooty
Very cute children's book. Wonderfully illustrated. Excellent story about making friends and getting along with others who are different. Loved the Broccoli doing Tai Chi.
Very cute children's book. Wonderfully illustrated. Excellent story about making friends and getting along with others who are different. Loved the Broccoli doing Tai Chi.
April 21, 2024
Fun, Fun, Fun
Another story which is fun to read yet educational. The illustrations are fun to look at. Plus the "games" in the back were fun to solve.
Another story which is fun to read yet educational. The illustrations are fun to look at. Plus the "games" in the back were fun to solve.
February 12, 2025
cute veggie story
It was simple and cute. Like that the rutabaga came and everyone was his friend. As per the 9 yr old
It was simple and cute. Like that the rutabaga came and everyone was his friend. As per the 9 yr old
April 28, 2023
So, the first time I read this, I was in a pretty rotten mood, and ended up with 1* in my rating. I reread it a week or so later, and I really liked it. I think if a child were to read this though, it would be well received. It's got a good, positive story, the sequels are really good, and the art is good. I can definitely see myself reading this again in the future. In a nutshell, I would definitely recommend this, and the series.
February 5, 2022
My daughter loved this book and the adorable illustrations. As a parent, it is great to find a book that is entertaining and incorporates positive life lessons. Hope more Rooty books are coming!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews