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I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree A Poem for Every Day of the Year
I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree, named after the first line of Judith Nicholls' poem 'Windsong', is a lavishly illustrated collection of 366 nature poems - one for every day of the year, including leap years. Filled with familiar favourites and new discoveries, written by a wide variety of poets, including -
John Agard, William Blake, Emily Bronte, Charles Causley, Walter de la Mare, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Eleanor Farjeon, Robert Frost, Thomas Hardy, Roger McGough, Christina Rossetti, William Shakespeare, John Updike, William Wordsworth and many more.
This is the perfect book for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day, or just to dip into.
John Agard, William Blake, Emily Bronte, Charles Causley, Walter de la Mare, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Eleanor Farjeon, Robert Frost, Thomas Hardy, Roger McGough, Christina Rossetti, William Shakespeare, John Updike, William Wordsworth and many more.
This is the perfect book for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day, or just to dip into.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2018
32 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Waters
111 books14 followersiona Waters is renowned in the world of children’s books for her passion, enthusiasm, and encyclopedic knowledge of children’s literature. She has published more than eighty titles, including Sing a Song of Seasons, and her work has been translated into many different languages all over the world. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Fiona Waters now lives in the South of England with thousands of books and several very discerning cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 31, 2020
As a little kid, I had several books with „365 stories about …“. A little while ago, I re-discovered the joy of such books accompanying me throughout the year(s).
The first one was very hit-or-miss due to the selection of poems, the second one was a history book (non-fiction), and this year I read this.
I don’t have too many others to compare this book to but so far, this has been my favorite. The design is colorful and cute, the poems curated here are almost all wonderful.
The poems are all about nature and people interacting with it, observing it, fearing or delighting over it. Maybe that has made following the months and changing seasons especially fun. Or maybe it’s just that I love animals and plants so much that this really was perfect for me.
Be that as it may, I knew some of the poems already, though of some we unfortunately only got abbreviated versions (for good reason though), while a lot were unknown to me. That’s a pretty good mix in my opinion.
As you will see, I loved the design so much that I took far too many pictures to show you. After painfully trimming down their numbers, I still ended up with 39! Still, in order to give you a nice overview of the quality of the poems AND the illustrations (as well as of the binding of the book), it is „necessary“ to post all of them here. ;)
Poetry, even more so than short stories or novels, is a deeply personal thing. Therefore, it’s always a gamble to buy a book like this. I’m happy to have found that this was definitely „for me“ and I had great fun throughout the year. It sometimes made me cry (it was an emotional year) but usually cheered me up or emphasized my good mood.
A wonderful companion that I shall revisit.
P.S.: My only complaint is that the publisher actually published the same set of poems with the same illustrations every day under a different title (this other edition also having a different cover). I find that despicable behavior. For more infos, see the comments where I linked to the edition in question. However, that does not detract from the quality of this book or my enjoyment of it.
The first one was very hit-or-miss due to the selection of poems, the second one was a history book (non-fiction), and this year I read this.
I don’t have too many others to compare this book to but so far, this has been my favorite. The design is colorful and cute, the poems curated here are almost all wonderful.
The poems are all about nature and people interacting with it, observing it, fearing or delighting over it. Maybe that has made following the months and changing seasons especially fun. Or maybe it’s just that I love animals and plants so much that this really was perfect for me.
Be that as it may, I knew some of the poems already, though of some we unfortunately only got abbreviated versions (for good reason though), while a lot were unknown to me. That’s a pretty good mix in my opinion.
As you will see, I loved the design so much that I took far too many pictures to show you. After painfully trimming down their numbers, I still ended up with 39! Still, in order to give you a nice overview of the quality of the poems AND the illustrations (as well as of the binding of the book), it is „necessary“ to post all of them here. ;)
Poetry, even more so than short stories or novels, is a deeply personal thing. Therefore, it’s always a gamble to buy a book like this. I’m happy to have found that this was definitely „for me“ and I had great fun throughout the year. It sometimes made me cry (it was an emotional year) but usually cheered me up or emphasized my good mood.
A wonderful companion that I shall revisit.
P.S.: My only complaint is that the publisher actually published the same set of poems with the same illustrations every day under a different title (this other edition also having a different cover). I find that despicable behavior. For more infos, see the comments where I linked to the edition in question. However, that does not detract from the quality of this book or my enjoyment of it.
September 28, 2018
This beautiful poetry anthology that includes a new nature poem for every day of the year is likely to become a primary classroom essential.
The collection of 366 poems (to make sure leap years are covered too!) contains a really interesting mix of poems from well-known favourites from Christina Rossetti and Walter de la Mare to more modern offerings by Benjamin Zephaniah and Carol Ann Duffy. The book is structured into monthly sections and the poems accompanied by beautiful illustrations that celebrate the beauty of the natural world and changing seasons.
The poems have been hand-picked by anthologist Fiona Waters, who has carefully selected verses that are both accessible to children and sing of the splendour of the natural world. This is the type of book feels special in your hands too, with its cloth binding, high-quality paper and ribbon page marker.
For teachers, finding a place for this book on your desk will provide a quick and easy way of inspiring pupils with a taste of poetry to look forward to each day and I would recommend the collection across the whole primary age range.
This book is featured as one of our September 2018 Books of the Month.
The collection of 366 poems (to make sure leap years are covered too!) contains a really interesting mix of poems from well-known favourites from Christina Rossetti and Walter de la Mare to more modern offerings by Benjamin Zephaniah and Carol Ann Duffy. The book is structured into monthly sections and the poems accompanied by beautiful illustrations that celebrate the beauty of the natural world and changing seasons.
The poems have been hand-picked by anthologist Fiona Waters, who has carefully selected verses that are both accessible to children and sing of the splendour of the natural world. This is the type of book feels special in your hands too, with its cloth binding, high-quality paper and ribbon page marker.
For teachers, finding a place for this book on your desk will provide a quick and easy way of inspiring pupils with a taste of poetry to look forward to each day and I would recommend the collection across the whole primary age range.
This book is featured as one of our September 2018 Books of the Month.
January 10, 2019
After seeing this book being used in the classroom, I think it is such a nice addition. It contains a nature poem for every day of the year, and makes a lovely start to the day with either the teacher reading it or giving the children an opportunity to read it.
November 2, 2020
WOW. This is an amazing collection of poems, one for each day of the year, accompanied by illustrations which are beautiful.
I think that this would be great to use in a classroom and if i were to use this i would read the daily poem to the children at either the beginning or the end of the day and then have a short class discussion about it. This book could also be a great introduction to poetry and different types of poetry (e.g. the presentation), as well as a variety of poets and their styles.
Highly recommend reading and will definitely be getting myself a copy of this for my future classroom.
I think that this would be great to use in a classroom and if i were to use this i would read the daily poem to the children at either the beginning or the end of the day and then have a short class discussion about it. This book could also be a great introduction to poetry and different types of poetry (e.g. the presentation), as well as a variety of poets and their styles.
Highly recommend reading and will definitely be getting myself a copy of this for my future classroom.
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April 11, 2020The poetry anthology ‘I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree’ by Kate Wilson, is a beautiful collection of poems which explore nature through a poem a day. In the introduction Kate discusses the versatility of this book, suggesting it can be used as a shared read aloud or personal read. The book can be used to share a poem a day, focus on specific dates or just to enjoy the imagery created by Frann Preston-Gannon. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations as they added context and detail to each poem, helping the mind explore the words within each poem.
On first look at this book it could be used as a whole class or school resource to read aloud one poem a day within class or during assemblies. This would be a simple, short but consistent approach to exposing young children to different types of poetry and a broad range of authors. If this book was to be used within the classroom, I would use it either as mentioned above or to support the range of topics covered across the curriculum, particularly within English, science, geography and history.
If using this book in English specifically for poetry, I would use it to highlight the different forms of poetry such as haiku’s, riddles, acrostics and shape poems. I would also use the book to reference when children begin to learn to write poetry and explore writing their own versions (examples of when I would do this are highlighted below). I would also use this in English to explore the different ways poetry could be read aloud, i.e. explore how RAP lyrics are a form of poetry; specifically standing for rhythm and poetry. The way a poem is performed can change the feeling or message you receive when listening to or reading the poem on paper.
Below are examples of some of the poems that I particularly liked and how I would use them in a classroom;
1st January – The Garden Year – Sara Coleridge - I enjoyed how this poem highlighted each month of the year and the changing seasons. I would have the class write their own version, describing what they felt were the key attributes to each month of the year. This could also be used to support the learning of month names (maths) as well as the season, exploring characteristics of seasons both in England and across the world (science/geography).
2nd January – The New Year – Anonymous – This poem helps you reflect and consider each year as having its own personality. The children could use this poem to support writing their own poem about the characteristics of years that have passed. This could be linked to history and thinking about the different time periods and their characteristics. As well as how the world has changed over the recent years that have passed as well as decades. Science/Geography could be touched on here to think about climate and environmental changes.
1st February – When Skies are Low and Days are Dark – N . M Bodecker – Although this poem has a darker tone when you read it with the perspective that February is filled with dark days and frost. You can also view this poem with a positive mindset, that what may seem negative today is only temporary and things will get brighter. This could therefore be used within a PSHE lesson and discussion of different mindsets.
14th February – That What We’d Do – Mary Mapes Dodge – A poem about two individuals visualising themselves as owls sitting in a tree sharing the romance of St Valentines Day. This is a sweet poem and could be used for the children to explore writing their own poems about what is would be like if they were another creature.
1st March – I am the Song – Charles Causley – I found this a pleasant poem to start them month, which the children could practice writing their own version.
2nd March – Paper Dragons – Susan Alton Schmeltz – A fun poem in which children can make their own kites and version of the poem and describe the movement of kite in the air. This could also be linked to history and exploring traditional toys throughout the time periods.
16th March & 10th April – Riddles – Children could create their own class collection of riddles on a topic of their choice or about an element within the topic of the term.
1st April – The First of April (extract) – Anonymous – Another fun and upbeat poem that could be used to explore the history of April Fools Day and create their own version of the poem, as well as explore other key dates in history that have become an annual tradition.
16th April – Voices of Water – Tony Milton – I would use this poem to explore water and the sounds associated to water. The class could make their own music to accompany the poem with instruments or body percussion, such as creating a soundscape.
1st May – On May Day – Anonymous – As with previous poems this could be used to explore the history of annual events, such as May day. Additionally, it could be used to create their own music to accompany this poem or read it alongside a dance that they have created themselves. The children could also create their own poem describing their thoughts on May day and the activities/ characteristic of the day.
31st May – May – John Updike – This poem was enjoyable through its use of the word ‘may’ in the context of might rather than the name of the month. The children could use this poem as inspiration to write their own version using the word ‘may’ or to explore other words that have dual meanings in the English language.
5th June – Bed in Summer – Louis Stevenson – This poem could be used to explore other countries around the world and how seasons differ across continents. For example, the children could write a comparative version of the poem using a country such as Australia as focal point. They could investigate how seasons can have different characteristics or occur at alternatives times of year compared to England.
1st July – Shadows – Judith Nicholls – This poem could be used in science to explore light, particularly shadows. This could link to a practical activity where the children capture and investigate their own shadows. Which they could use to write their own version of this poem.
20th August – What is Pink – Christina Rossetti – This poem could be used within science, geography, history, and art to explore colour and where they can be found within nature, across different environments.
20th September – Acorn haiku – Kim Wright - This poem could be used as part of a science/geography lesson exploring the local habitat and identification of different types of tree. Additionally, used to support writing their own versions of a haiku.
14th – 17th October – Poems about rain by various authors – These poems could be used in geography lessons to explore rain. Children could conduct investigations using their senses to capture the different sounds that are made by rain, as well as documenting how different types of rain feel and look.
5th November – Anonymous – As with previous poems on key dates this poem could be used to look at the history of ‘bonfire night’ as well as explore the tradition of fireworks. The children could create their own soundscapes and poems, as well as art to describe and express this event.
4th December – Red Sky at Night – I would use this poem to explore the English language, different cultures and explore old sayings that have been passed down throughout generations. The children could choose a topic and create their own sayings to go with them.
31st December – Keep a Poem in Your Pocket – Beatrice Schenck de Regniers – A sweet rhyming poem that could be used at the end of a topic on poetry or end of the year for the children to think about and share their favourite poem. This could be part of a series of sessions where the children share their favourite poem at the start of the term/year and then perform the poem at the end of the year, with an opportunity to personalise it.
Throughout the course of the term or year, I would collate all poems that the children had written to create our own class anthology and share in the school library. Overall this is very well thought out and beautiful collection of poetry and illustrations from start to finish, which would be very versatile in a classroom setting. With younger children I would use this book as a read aloud and share a poem a day, discussing the characteristics of each month/ season. With older children I would use the book to support and explore cross-curricular activities, such as those mentioned in the selected poems above.
This is certainly a book I will be adding to my own personal collection and sharing with each class going forward.
On first look at this book it could be used as a whole class or school resource to read aloud one poem a day within class or during assemblies. This would be a simple, short but consistent approach to exposing young children to different types of poetry and a broad range of authors. If this book was to be used within the classroom, I would use it either as mentioned above or to support the range of topics covered across the curriculum, particularly within English, science, geography and history.
If using this book in English specifically for poetry, I would use it to highlight the different forms of poetry such as haiku’s, riddles, acrostics and shape poems. I would also use the book to reference when children begin to learn to write poetry and explore writing their own versions (examples of when I would do this are highlighted below). I would also use this in English to explore the different ways poetry could be read aloud, i.e. explore how RAP lyrics are a form of poetry; specifically standing for rhythm and poetry. The way a poem is performed can change the feeling or message you receive when listening to or reading the poem on paper.
Below are examples of some of the poems that I particularly liked and how I would use them in a classroom;
1st January – The Garden Year – Sara Coleridge - I enjoyed how this poem highlighted each month of the year and the changing seasons. I would have the class write their own version, describing what they felt were the key attributes to each month of the year. This could also be used to support the learning of month names (maths) as well as the season, exploring characteristics of seasons both in England and across the world (science/geography).
2nd January – The New Year – Anonymous – This poem helps you reflect and consider each year as having its own personality. The children could use this poem to support writing their own poem about the characteristics of years that have passed. This could be linked to history and thinking about the different time periods and their characteristics. As well as how the world has changed over the recent years that have passed as well as decades. Science/Geography could be touched on here to think about climate and environmental changes.
1st February – When Skies are Low and Days are Dark – N . M Bodecker – Although this poem has a darker tone when you read it with the perspective that February is filled with dark days and frost. You can also view this poem with a positive mindset, that what may seem negative today is only temporary and things will get brighter. This could therefore be used within a PSHE lesson and discussion of different mindsets.
14th February – That What We’d Do – Mary Mapes Dodge – A poem about two individuals visualising themselves as owls sitting in a tree sharing the romance of St Valentines Day. This is a sweet poem and could be used for the children to explore writing their own poems about what is would be like if they were another creature.
1st March – I am the Song – Charles Causley – I found this a pleasant poem to start them month, which the children could practice writing their own version.
2nd March – Paper Dragons – Susan Alton Schmeltz – A fun poem in which children can make their own kites and version of the poem and describe the movement of kite in the air. This could also be linked to history and exploring traditional toys throughout the time periods.
16th March & 10th April – Riddles – Children could create their own class collection of riddles on a topic of their choice or about an element within the topic of the term.
1st April – The First of April (extract) – Anonymous – Another fun and upbeat poem that could be used to explore the history of April Fools Day and create their own version of the poem, as well as explore other key dates in history that have become an annual tradition.
16th April – Voices of Water – Tony Milton – I would use this poem to explore water and the sounds associated to water. The class could make their own music to accompany the poem with instruments or body percussion, such as creating a soundscape.
1st May – On May Day – Anonymous – As with previous poems this could be used to explore the history of annual events, such as May day. Additionally, it could be used to create their own music to accompany this poem or read it alongside a dance that they have created themselves. The children could also create their own poem describing their thoughts on May day and the activities/ characteristic of the day.
31st May – May – John Updike – This poem was enjoyable through its use of the word ‘may’ in the context of might rather than the name of the month. The children could use this poem as inspiration to write their own version using the word ‘may’ or to explore other words that have dual meanings in the English language.
5th June – Bed in Summer – Louis Stevenson – This poem could be used to explore other countries around the world and how seasons differ across continents. For example, the children could write a comparative version of the poem using a country such as Australia as focal point. They could investigate how seasons can have different characteristics or occur at alternatives times of year compared to England.
1st July – Shadows – Judith Nicholls – This poem could be used in science to explore light, particularly shadows. This could link to a practical activity where the children capture and investigate their own shadows. Which they could use to write their own version of this poem.
20th August – What is Pink – Christina Rossetti – This poem could be used within science, geography, history, and art to explore colour and where they can be found within nature, across different environments.
20th September – Acorn haiku – Kim Wright - This poem could be used as part of a science/geography lesson exploring the local habitat and identification of different types of tree. Additionally, used to support writing their own versions of a haiku.
14th – 17th October – Poems about rain by various authors – These poems could be used in geography lessons to explore rain. Children could conduct investigations using their senses to capture the different sounds that are made by rain, as well as documenting how different types of rain feel and look.
5th November – Anonymous – As with previous poems on key dates this poem could be used to look at the history of ‘bonfire night’ as well as explore the tradition of fireworks. The children could create their own soundscapes and poems, as well as art to describe and express this event.
4th December – Red Sky at Night – I would use this poem to explore the English language, different cultures and explore old sayings that have been passed down throughout generations. The children could choose a topic and create their own sayings to go with them.
31st December – Keep a Poem in Your Pocket – Beatrice Schenck de Regniers – A sweet rhyming poem that could be used at the end of a topic on poetry or end of the year for the children to think about and share their favourite poem. This could be part of a series of sessions where the children share their favourite poem at the start of the term/year and then perform the poem at the end of the year, with an opportunity to personalise it.
Throughout the course of the term or year, I would collate all poems that the children had written to create our own class anthology and share in the school library. Overall this is very well thought out and beautiful collection of poetry and illustrations from start to finish, which would be very versatile in a classroom setting. With younger children I would use this book as a read aloud and share a poem a day, discussing the characteristics of each month/ season. With older children I would use the book to support and explore cross-curricular activities, such as those mentioned in the selected poems above.
This is certainly a book I will be adding to my own personal collection and sharing with each class going forward.
March 25, 2019
Beautifully illustrated, a wonderful collection of poems set in the wonderful outdoors, one for each day!
October 26, 2020
The clever concept of the collection is that it provides a seasonally themed poem for each day of the year that can be read in order by date. The poems include the classics as well as modern writers plus nursery rhymes, carols, songs and haiku. Something for everyone.
November 14, 2019
Ik wou dat ik een vogel was. Een natuurgedicht voor elke dag van het jaar. Samengesteld door Margot Diederix en Marlous van Mourik. Met illustraties van Frann Preston-Gannon.
Wat een prachtboek, een instant klassieker! Ik ben zo blij dat Van Mourik op I am the seed that grew the tree is gestuit én dat ze besloten heeft om ons (Nederlandstaligen) ook zoiets moois te gunnen. Knap is ook dat ze er voor gekozen heeft om niet de gedichten te vertalen maar wel op zoek te gaan naar gedichten in het Nederlands die bij het thema en de bestaande prenten passen. Dit moet een huzarenwerk zijn geweest, maar zeker en vast de moeite waard. Ik ben er gerust in dat al wie dit boek koopt er jaren plezier van gaat hebben én dat dit het soort boek is dat mensen elkaar blijven schenken. Ik ben hier zo blij mee!
Elke dag van het jaar een gedicht, met de natuur als thema én geschikt voor jong en oud. Meer perfect wordt het niet. Poëzieliefhebbers gaan hierin oude, favoriete, namen tegenkomen en nieuwe stemmen leren kennen. Wie nog niet into poëzie is gaat dit zeker worden. ‘Ik wou dat ik’ staat vol woorden en prenten om te koesteren; in je eentje, samen met het gezin of romantisch met je geliefde. (Ik zie al afgeleide Whatsapp-groepjes ontstaan, of nieuwe klas-rituelen.)
Toen ik jaren geleden van Sinterklaas ‘Kom maar dichter’ kreeg wist ik nog niet wat dat boek voor mij zou betekenen. Het was niet alleen een opstapje richting een kast met 3 meter poëzie, het was daarnaast ook een boek dat mijn Bijbel zou worden. Een boek dat je leest, herleest, doorbladert en waarin je blijft hangen. Een boek om in te verdwalen en de waan van de dag los te laten. Nooit gedacht dat ik 20 jaar later weer zo een boek zou tegenkomen. Een snuister-, koesterboek. Een boek dat kan troosten, doen lachen, glimlachen, je hart verwarmen, je liefde voor de wereld kan vergroten.
In een wereld die almaar sneller draait, waarin de natuur dag na dag meer kapot gaat en waarin er amper tijd is om adem te halen is dit boek een soort van medicijn, een vorm van therapie. Meditatie en bezinning in één. Koop dit boek, deel gedichten met je naasten en maak alvast jullie deeltje van deze gekke aarde mooier.
Ik wou dat ik een vogel was is het soort boek dat je op zoek laat gaan naar een bijpassend tafeltje. Je wil het continue binnen handbereik en in het zicht hebben. Dikke dank u wel uitgeverij Ploegsma.
Wat een prachtboek, een instant klassieker! Ik ben zo blij dat Van Mourik op I am the seed that grew the tree is gestuit én dat ze besloten heeft om ons (Nederlandstaligen) ook zoiets moois te gunnen. Knap is ook dat ze er voor gekozen heeft om niet de gedichten te vertalen maar wel op zoek te gaan naar gedichten in het Nederlands die bij het thema en de bestaande prenten passen. Dit moet een huzarenwerk zijn geweest, maar zeker en vast de moeite waard. Ik ben er gerust in dat al wie dit boek koopt er jaren plezier van gaat hebben én dat dit het soort boek is dat mensen elkaar blijven schenken. Ik ben hier zo blij mee!
Elke dag van het jaar een gedicht, met de natuur als thema én geschikt voor jong en oud. Meer perfect wordt het niet. Poëzieliefhebbers gaan hierin oude, favoriete, namen tegenkomen en nieuwe stemmen leren kennen. Wie nog niet into poëzie is gaat dit zeker worden. ‘Ik wou dat ik’ staat vol woorden en prenten om te koesteren; in je eentje, samen met het gezin of romantisch met je geliefde. (Ik zie al afgeleide Whatsapp-groepjes ontstaan, of nieuwe klas-rituelen.)
Toen ik jaren geleden van Sinterklaas ‘Kom maar dichter’ kreeg wist ik nog niet wat dat boek voor mij zou betekenen. Het was niet alleen een opstapje richting een kast met 3 meter poëzie, het was daarnaast ook een boek dat mijn Bijbel zou worden. Een boek dat je leest, herleest, doorbladert en waarin je blijft hangen. Een boek om in te verdwalen en de waan van de dag los te laten. Nooit gedacht dat ik 20 jaar later weer zo een boek zou tegenkomen. Een snuister-, koesterboek. Een boek dat kan troosten, doen lachen, glimlachen, je hart verwarmen, je liefde voor de wereld kan vergroten.
In een wereld die almaar sneller draait, waarin de natuur dag na dag meer kapot gaat en waarin er amper tijd is om adem te halen is dit boek een soort van medicijn, een vorm van therapie. Meditatie en bezinning in één. Koop dit boek, deel gedichten met je naasten en maak alvast jullie deeltje van deze gekke aarde mooier.
Ik wou dat ik een vogel was is het soort boek dat je op zoek laat gaan naar een bijpassend tafeltje. Je wil het continue binnen handbereik en in het zicht hebben. Dikke dank u wel uitgeverij Ploegsma.
January 30, 2021
I would use in a classroom to read a daily poem to the children at either the beginning or the end of the day and then have a short class discussion about the nature in each poem. This book could also be a great introduction to poetry and different types of poetry (e.g. the presentation), as well as a variety of poets and their styles. I would also link the poetry book to science to discuss ecosystems, life cycles of plants, it could link to any element of science that looks at nature. A beautiful collection of poems! You must read it.
February 3, 2020
A collection of different genres and types of poems. Could be used to engage children in poetry once a day in the classroom or delved into more deeply to promote poetry writing. Each poem has its own explicit meaning that can be looked into more deeply and each person getting their own satisfaction from it. Beautiful to link with other books.
February 5, 2020
Perfect for the classroom; a poem for each day that runs with the seasons
September 3, 2020
A wonderful collection of poems for every day of the year accompanied by beautiful illustrations.
December 31, 2023
This book was Perfect 🥰💕💕…. I really enjoyed reading a poem every day and the illustrations were beyond AMAZING 🤩
May 24, 2024
Beautifully illustrated book with a short poem for each day.
March 4, 2021
I read this to my Year 1 class every morning, and we love it. A lovely way to start each day.
October 17, 2022
This wonderful collection of poetry offers a beautifully illustrated poem for each day of the year and a diverse collection for every month and season. The publisher of this collection, Kate Wilson, explains her intention for this book to build upon a collection of poetry she herself had loved as a young person and ‘to make something that was more beautiful and easier to find your way into’ and ‘to make a book that helped you see the world around you’. This collection is inspiring, educational and presents a diversity of different poets and literary techniques. I truly believe there is something for everyone hidden within this book and that this would be a perfect addition to any classroom and anyone’s book shelf.
I found ‘Only My Opinion’ by Monica Shannon (15th May) to be a particularly fun and playful short poem, which achieves Wilson’s aim of connecting readers to the world around them. This poem deals with the abstract idea of a caterpillar laughing whilst he travels across leaves because he finds them ‘ticklish’. This shared emotion of joy with an animal which is otherwise so unlike us as humans, offers a very interesting method of connecting us as readers to the environment and those we share it with.
I found ‘Only My Opinion’ by Monica Shannon (15th May) to be a particularly fun and playful short poem, which achieves Wilson’s aim of connecting readers to the world around them. This poem deals with the abstract idea of a caterpillar laughing whilst he travels across leaves because he finds them ‘ticklish’. This shared emotion of joy with an animal which is otherwise so unlike us as humans, offers a very interesting method of connecting us as readers to the environment and those we share it with.
December 20, 2018
A beautifully illustrated collection of nature-themed poetry. This naked hardback is well-made and is a joy to dip in and out of — the combination of the drawings and poems make me happy.
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November 26, 2018This is a really cute book full of short poems for every day of the year. The illustrations are all beautiful too. In a classroom, I would use this during the morning circle or meeting each day and maybe write the poem of the day on the whiteboard. This could help students be interested in poetry even at a young age and they could discuss different things about the poems.
October 9, 2019
I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree is a visually stunning collection of 336 nature poems (one for every day of the year) and illustrations that celebrate the beauty and diversity of our natural world. Waters brings together an extensive range of poets and poems to enjoy, presenting the reader with a perfect blend of well-loved favourites and new discoveries.
This book is fantastic for both adults and children - the range of poems on offer would definitely tempt anyone who is not accustomed to poetry to dive in and explore. I didn’t think poetry was ‘my thing’ but this anthology was extremely refreshing; I enjoyed the mix of traditional and contemporary poems and on top of this, the poems weren’t too lengthy or arduous to read – it felt like an extremely inclusive and accessible collection of poetry.
As we move through the book, we follow the changing seasons and disocver an abundance of animals and beautiful scenery. The gorgeous full page illustrations represent the splendour of nature and are mesmerising to look at. The images work beautifully with the poems and have a simplistic charm about them, enabling the reader’s imagination to roam free when looking at them or reading the poems.
I loved this book, particularly the theme of nature and the potential it has to ignite a passion for animals and our natural world in those who read it. I adored the imagery and the overall presentation of the book – it feels special to hold, it makes the poems inside feel special to have, it makes poetry exciting!
This is a book I would definitely have in my classroom. I could see this being used as a nice, peaceful way to start the school day. I think it presents a lovely opportunity to bring the class together and create a ‘poetry environment’ and ultimately spark a child’s interest in poetry. The book captures the complexity and diversity of nature very well and as we move through it, we are made aware of the changing seasons and a variety of living things. I believe this poetry book could be used for a variety of topics/lessons, for example:
Science
Exploring and comparing the four seasons – What happens during the four seasons? What changes do you notice in nature? How do the seasons affect us and animals?
Look at the different animals in the book – which animals do you recognise? Think about their habitats and how they live
Nature walk – what sort of things did we hear about in the poems? Will we see them when we go outside? What might we find?
English
Use poems as models/example for writing own poetry – use nature as a basis, take the children outside or get them to think about their own relationship with nature, places they’ve been, how they’ve interacted with nature – use this as a starting point for their own poems.
Art
Be the illustrator - pick your favourite poem from the book and create a picture to go with.
This book is fantastic for both adults and children - the range of poems on offer would definitely tempt anyone who is not accustomed to poetry to dive in and explore. I didn’t think poetry was ‘my thing’ but this anthology was extremely refreshing; I enjoyed the mix of traditional and contemporary poems and on top of this, the poems weren’t too lengthy or arduous to read – it felt like an extremely inclusive and accessible collection of poetry.
As we move through the book, we follow the changing seasons and disocver an abundance of animals and beautiful scenery. The gorgeous full page illustrations represent the splendour of nature and are mesmerising to look at. The images work beautifully with the poems and have a simplistic charm about them, enabling the reader’s imagination to roam free when looking at them or reading the poems.
I loved this book, particularly the theme of nature and the potential it has to ignite a passion for animals and our natural world in those who read it. I adored the imagery and the overall presentation of the book – it feels special to hold, it makes the poems inside feel special to have, it makes poetry exciting!
This is a book I would definitely have in my classroom. I could see this being used as a nice, peaceful way to start the school day. I think it presents a lovely opportunity to bring the class together and create a ‘poetry environment’ and ultimately spark a child’s interest in poetry. The book captures the complexity and diversity of nature very well and as we move through it, we are made aware of the changing seasons and a variety of living things. I believe this poetry book could be used for a variety of topics/lessons, for example:
Science
Exploring and comparing the four seasons – What happens during the four seasons? What changes do you notice in nature? How do the seasons affect us and animals?
Look at the different animals in the book – which animals do you recognise? Think about their habitats and how they live
Nature walk – what sort of things did we hear about in the poems? Will we see them when we go outside? What might we find?
English
Use poems as models/example for writing own poetry – use nature as a basis, take the children outside or get them to think about their own relationship with nature, places they’ve been, how they’ve interacted with nature – use this as a starting point for their own poems.
Art
Be the illustrator - pick your favourite poem from the book and create a picture to go with.
November 18, 2020
I think I purchased this last year at my first (and so far only) visit to the beautiful Kew Gardens, for my 23rd birthday, and have had it sitting, looking pretty ever since. I wanted to bust it out and see it's contents, as I just felt called to read it.
I am the seed that grew the tree is a collection of nature poetry (oh woah, that rhymed!) for every day of the year, selected by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Surprisingly to me, it is filled with lots of poetry throughout time that wasn't created just for this collection.
I think if this were to be used in a school setting, it would be a gentle and fun reading session for children to be introduced to older poets, and get a sense of appreciation for nature.
I like that the poem for my birthday is written by someone who's name looks similar to mine... Gene (Gén).
I also like how mum's birthday is a poem about squirrels and she was terrified of them.
This was a beautiful presented and illustrated book, that I will take pleasure in reading to young family members, if ever the occasion arises.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I am the seed that grew the tree is a collection of nature poetry (oh woah, that rhymed!) for every day of the year, selected by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Surprisingly to me, it is filled with lots of poetry throughout time that wasn't created just for this collection.
I think if this were to be used in a school setting, it would be a gentle and fun reading session for children to be introduced to older poets, and get a sense of appreciation for nature.
I like that the poem for my birthday is written by someone who's name looks similar to mine... Gene (Gén).
I also like how mum's birthday is a poem about squirrels and she was terrified of them.
This was a beautiful presented and illustrated book, that I will take pleasure in reading to young family members, if ever the occasion arises.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
April 8, 2019
I was so excited to find this book because it combines my interest in nature with poetry. The reason I decided to buy this book was because I liked the idea of creating a poetry environment in my classroom by reading a poem out loud to my everyday.
The selection of poems in this book is brilliant. The poems cover a broad range of topics within nature, and fit well with seasonal changes. I also think that the anthology contains a wide range of poets, some modern and some classic, I think this is very important. Furthermore I really like the illustrations in this book, they are very colourful and could provide children visual stimulus for work or just to enjoy whilst reading the poem out loud. I also think the size of the book lends itself to being used as a class-read because it is large and therefore could be held up.
I do not think this book is limited to a key stage, it could be adapted to work with any year group.
The selection of poems in this book is brilliant. The poems cover a broad range of topics within nature, and fit well with seasonal changes. I also think that the anthology contains a wide range of poets, some modern and some classic, I think this is very important. Furthermore I really like the illustrations in this book, they are very colourful and could provide children visual stimulus for work or just to enjoy whilst reading the poem out loud. I also think the size of the book lends itself to being used as a class-read because it is large and therefore could be held up.
I do not think this book is limited to a key stage, it could be adapted to work with any year group.
June 14, 2022
This book is AMAZING for all year groups! I believe that every classroom should have a copy of this book. There isn't enough poetry done in English lessons and this is a great way of introducing poems to young children. The poems are light hearted and easy to understand. There is a short poem for each day of the year accompanied with beautiful illustrations.
I have used this book for English lessons to inspire pupils to write their own poems, PSHE to explore thoughts, feelings and emotions as well as for art.
By reading a poem a day with my Year 4 class on placement, I was able to integrate poetry into their daily lives and promote a continuous love for poetry!
I have used this book for English lessons to inspire pupils to write their own poems, PSHE to explore thoughts, feelings and emotions as well as for art.
By reading a poem a day with my Year 4 class on placement, I was able to integrate poetry into their daily lives and promote a continuous love for poetry!
December 10, 2025
I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree focuses on nature and noticing small moments in everyday life. The poems encourage kids to slow down and pay attention to things they might normally miss. These ideas can connect well with children because they spark curiosity and help them see how nature is part of their daily world. The book also shows that poetry can be calm, fun, and expressive instead of something hard to learn. The book uses soft, colorful illustrations that matches the tone of each poem, helping readers feel the mood or season being described.
June 20, 2019
This beautifully put together anthology of nature poems would be a great addition to any classroom, from kindergarten to high school. This book includes a nature themed poem for everyday of the year. I could see this being used as a way to start class daily, bring the students together and spark their interest in poetry. The illustrations are wonderful and can also bring some great discussion. Highly recommend!
December 12, 2019
Earning its name from a poem by Judith Nicholls, this incredibly thoughtful collection of nature poems is possibly the finest of this closing decade. Selected by Fiona Waters, it covers a range that spans across both time and the globe, celebrating poems for each day of the year. Each page is lavishly illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon and deserves a place on the table of every teacher. What better way to share and explore the natural 'world' and the words of the many.
February 14, 2021
This is SUCH A GORGEOUS book!! Makes for a perfect accompaniment to any classroom, or home. I love the notion that you can read a poem every day, and this is something I would like to use in my own class environment. A starter for the day, or a little poem to read before lunch, which would build up to the children taking turns to read. A lovely way to share the seasonal changes. Thoroughly recommend
December 23, 2020
A beautiful poetry book with one poem for each day of the year. The poems are lovely as are the illustrations that accompany them. I would use this book in class by giving each children in the class a poem to read out on its specific day to encourage a love for poetry. The poems vary in length and style, exposing children to a vast range of poems.
December 23, 2021
This is the best and most beautiful and physically biggest poetry collection I have ever read. I wish I had had something like this a child, but it's not only for children. Everyone who loves poetry and illustrated books should have this. It's amazing and it was such a great and constant companion throughout a shitty year.
September 26, 2023
I would love to share this book with future classes!
This collection of poems are beautifully illustrated and feature a different poem of every day of the year. The poems are all related to nature and to the time of the year. This would be a great way to share quick poetry with the class, everyday, through reading a poem every morning.
This collection of poems are beautifully illustrated and feature a different poem of every day of the year. The poems are all related to nature and to the time of the year. This would be a great way to share quick poetry with the class, everyday, through reading a poem every morning.
Read
January 6, 2020I adore the multitude of poems available. All nature orientated as well which is lovely. Would be a lovely way to encourage use of poetry on a day to day basis either by reading it to the class or by allowing the children to read the poems themselves.
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