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Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree
Expressive text and art tell the story of the life cycle of trees as it has never been told before --- in reverse.Here's a lyrical depiction of the life cycle of trees, told one step at a time, based on newly researched information. The steps are described in simple but evocative text, each starting with “Before . . .” for a rhythmic telling. For example, “Before we stood tall, we clothed ourselves in bark and crowned ourselves in leaves, waving eagerly at the sun.” Particular attention is paid throughout to what's happening underground and how that links all life in the forest. Beginning with mature giants, “mighty in the kingdom of trees,” and ending with the promise of new life on the branches that are “hoping to be mighty in the kingdom of trees,” it's a beautiful and loving celebration of the circle of life.Jessica Kulekjian's skill at seamlessly blending nonfiction information with a poetic narrative sets this informational picture book apart. She also uniquely incorporates intriguing new research on how trees communicate with each other using an underground network of roots and fungus that connects the forest and helps the trees to thrive. Madeline Kloepper's rich artwork with its deep earth tone palette brings the forest and all its inhabitants alive on the page. The material has been vetted by several scientists, including experts on trees, insects and mushrooms. Supported by well-researched backmatter, the book has strong curriculum links to early elementary earth and life science topics, including plants, ecosystems and soil.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 7, 2021
1 person is currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 3, 2021
With the suspension of the Goodreads Choice 2021 Picture Book category, I was of mixed feelings; first, my family yearly rates all the nominees, but we had in recent years been less impressed with the nominees (which Rod Brown found were often published by Amazon subsidiaries). So I consulted a couple sources for likely Caldecott Award nominees, and I asked a few people to read them with me; in general they are so much better than, for instance, last year’s GR bunch. As my kids get older, they have mostly dropped out of the reading, but I still have anywhere from 2-4 readers with me this year.
#7 is “Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree,”by Jessica Kulekjian and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper, about the growth process (told in reverse, from full tree to seed) and importance of trees, one of many tree books this year as the collective consciousness seems to grasp that we need trees to live on this planet.
R (retired librarian): (5 stars). On target--illustrations + narrative + theme +.
T (electrician): (3.5 stars). Poetic. Nature. Very nice.
Dave (teacher) (4 stars). About ecosystem, and how trees communicate with each other and their environment. Colorful and lively.
Hank (15) (4.5 stars). It was a pretty good read. I loved the drawings, mostly because it was about nature. Liked the story, too.
#7 is “Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree,”by Jessica Kulekjian and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper, about the growth process (told in reverse, from full tree to seed) and importance of trees, one of many tree books this year as the collective consciousness seems to grasp that we need trees to live on this planet.
R (retired librarian): (5 stars). On target--illustrations + narrative + theme +.
T (electrician): (3.5 stars). Poetic. Nature. Very nice.
Dave (teacher) (4 stars). About ecosystem, and how trees communicate with each other and their environment. Colorful and lively.
Hank (15) (4.5 stars). It was a pretty good read. I loved the drawings, mostly because it was about nature. Liked the story, too.
August 12, 2021
I absolutely adore this book! The reverse structure is so unique, and the language is beautiful. Told in a lyrical style, I got wonderfully lost in the poetry, and almost forgot I was reading about a real thing...the life cycle of a tree. The pages about the underground network that trees use to communicate with one another and nurture each other from generation to generation were my favorite, and introduced me to a concept I didn't know about at all. I can definitely see this book on the shelves in a classroom library, but can equally see kids snuggled up with parents, enjoying it as a bedtime read. Five stars!
January 30, 2022
I adore Before We Stood Tall. It is lyrical, fascinating, and full of nurturing warmth. It takes the reader on a backward journey and helps young readers see how a mighty tree that towers over then was once a tiny seed fighting to survive. This is not only a beautiful book to talk about a tree’s lifecycle (which believe me it very much is!!) but also a beautiful metaphor for how every mighty accomplishment comes from small and humble beginnings and takes hard work, love and community. The fascinating back matter explains how trees communicate and help one another to survive and thrive. Don’t miss this one, it is spectacular.
February 23, 2021
The lyrical text in this book, combined with a compelling story-in-reverse structure, and stunning illustrations make this one of the best picture books about trees that I've ever read. The personification is enough to make you feel connected to the trees but not so much that it distracts from the beauty of the story and the trees themselves. What magical creatures they are! This book would work equally well for a science or poetry unit in the classroom. Destined to be a modern classic!
February 19, 2021
Sink deeply into a comfortable chair for a snuggle with this beautifully-rendered and enchanting journey of the trees told in reverse from their start, from the dreams of little seeds! A lively and lyrical way to introduce respect for the magic of nature. The first reading gave me goosebumps!
August 3, 2021
I was very excited when I came across Before We Stood Tall From Small Seed to Mighty Tree, as my children’s home preschool curriculum this month is plants - and we are currently growing a maple tree from a seed.
They both loved the book. Using simple and short lyrical prose Kulekjian takes us through the lifestyle of a tree. It was easy for both my 4 and 2.5 year old to understand. The author included additional information at the end, which was a great way for me to expand on what we learned while reading the story, but not jamming all the information in at once… An way to feed their expanding minds without them getting too distracted by short attention spans.
The lush illustrations were captivating, just like nature around us, there was life hidden throughout. My oldest thumbed through the pictures several times after reading the book looking for things he may have missed the first few times.
If you have little nature lovers in your life, I highly recommend adding this one to their library.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
They both loved the book. Using simple and short lyrical prose Kulekjian takes us through the lifestyle of a tree. It was easy for both my 4 and 2.5 year old to understand. The author included additional information at the end, which was a great way for me to expand on what we learned while reading the story, but not jamming all the information in at once… An way to feed their expanding minds without them getting too distracted by short attention spans.
The lush illustrations were captivating, just like nature around us, there was life hidden throughout. My oldest thumbed through the pictures several times after reading the book looking for things he may have missed the first few times.
If you have little nature lovers in your life, I highly recommend adding this one to their library.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2021
A discovery and of wonder. A picture book that takes a seed and how it grows. In a poetic form, your children will delight in how creative our world is. It is more about the seed and what it must go thru to be a beautiful tree.
A special thank you to Kids Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A special thank you to Kids Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
November 29, 2021
I liked the inside endpapers more than the book itself.
November 28, 2021
Poetic. Nature. Very nice
June 3, 2021
This book is a full ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The lyrical writing combined with warm toned illustrations that are reminiscent of books from yesteryears!
The text is contemplative, as the reader is guided through the cycle of ‘Tree life’ by rejuvenation and death, a tale as old as time we learn about tree communication, and the interconnection of the ecosystem.
Hidden throughout the rich illustrations we see adorable images of woodland animals that make it also fun for an eye-spy game.
This book is both perfect for a good cuddle up and read together, or to be used in primary curriculum when learning about nature.
The life cycle of the tree from early seed to great mother Tree are dependent on the fungi and decay that occurs at the roots!
I loved this book for so many reasons! I also like that helps adults remember the importance of our own connection to nature and how it plays a role in our own personal growth and health!
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy for review.
The lyrical writing combined with warm toned illustrations that are reminiscent of books from yesteryears!
The text is contemplative, as the reader is guided through the cycle of ‘Tree life’ by rejuvenation and death, a tale as old as time we learn about tree communication, and the interconnection of the ecosystem.
Hidden throughout the rich illustrations we see adorable images of woodland animals that make it also fun for an eye-spy game.
This book is both perfect for a good cuddle up and read together, or to be used in primary curriculum when learning about nature.
The life cycle of the tree from early seed to great mother Tree are dependent on the fungi and decay that occurs at the roots!
I loved this book for so many reasons! I also like that helps adults remember the importance of our own connection to nature and how it plays a role in our own personal growth and health!
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy for review.
June 30, 2021
This lovely, lyrical picture book about the life cycle of trees would make an excellent resource for any classroom library. First, it has a unique backwards structure that starts with a mighty tree and goes all the way back to the seed. I can easily see teachers encouraging students to write their own backward life cycle using this as a mentor text. Second, it uses several different poetic devices, such as repetition, alliteration, and personification. This makes it a wonderful tool to use when studying poetry and language. Finally, the backmatter includes additional information on the layers of the forest, the interconnectedness of trees, wildlife, and more. While I do believe this is a must-have for classroom libraries, I also believe it would be the perfect addition to home libraries. The illustrations are rich and warm, and the text is soothing and expressive. This is the perfect book to introduce children to the wonders of nature and the interconnectedness of our world.
October 6, 2021
Readers go backward in time from a tree to a seed wishing to fall and take root to become a tree. I had to read the book twice to catch on to the main idea. The wording is eloquent and vague; poetic. I believe it is missing the intended audience with the eloquence and vagueness. The illustrations go a long way to explain more about the seed landing and sprouting than the words do. I like the illustrations more than the text.
September 9, 2022
Lyrical NF picture book about the life cycle of trees and the interconnection between all creatures. An interesting look at how trees communicate with each other and how the system thrives through mutual support.
May 15, 2022
Came to this book because of illustrations by local artist Madeline Kloepper, and they were wonderful!, AND thoroughly enjoyed this story of the growth of trees.
Was delighted by all of the illustrations, and the creatures in the forest. Especially loved the Flickers and the Foxes. Fell in love with the Bees, especially the one laden with pollen on the back cover! And all of the 'underground' scenes were a joy! Gosh, the end papers were beautiful as well.
Informative author's notes at the end, including info about mycelium, mycorrhizal, and mother trees. There is also material about the layers of a forest, the odds of a seed's success (very slim indeed) and the wildlife in the forest.
Included in the notes entitled 'A Mighty Kingdom' there is the following paragraph, which had an emotional effect on me.
'When a mother tree is injured or dying, it will give away the last of its own nutrients and send final messages to the trees it supports, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom for future generations to grow up mighty and preserve the kingdom of trees.'
The last section in the author's notes has lists of sources, including books, films and websites.
A brilliant book, a great asset to schools and libraries, and a modern classic!
Was delighted by all of the illustrations, and the creatures in the forest. Especially loved the Flickers and the Foxes. Fell in love with the Bees, especially the one laden with pollen on the back cover! And all of the 'underground' scenes were a joy! Gosh, the end papers were beautiful as well.
Informative author's notes at the end, including info about mycelium, mycorrhizal, and mother trees. There is also material about the layers of a forest, the odds of a seed's success (very slim indeed) and the wildlife in the forest.
Included in the notes entitled 'A Mighty Kingdom' there is the following paragraph, which had an emotional effect on me.
'When a mother tree is injured or dying, it will give away the last of its own nutrients and send final messages to the trees it supports, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom for future generations to grow up mighty and preserve the kingdom of trees.'
The last section in the author's notes has lists of sources, including books, films and websites.
A brilliant book, a great asset to schools and libraries, and a modern classic!
February 3, 2023
Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Might Tree is a good companion book to Listen to the Language of Trees by Tera Kelley. Both emphasize mycorrhizal networks and how trees communicate and support one another. Both only make this direct connection and share this information directly in the authors' notes in the back of the book. I am glad that this network between trees is being shared with young people; however, I don't feel either of these books gets deep enough in telling a story or sharing the information within the narrative as it could. I am not sure how I would do it if I were an author/illustrator, but I don't feel children will understand the concept or science of mycorrhizal networks from this book or Listen to the Language of Trees. I look forward to seeing more published picturebooks for children that tackle this "new" topic.
July 20, 2021
Before We Stood Tall tells the tree life cycle in reverse: mature tree, young tree, sapling, sprout, and seed. It talks about how trees are important and provide food, shelter, and homes for many. It also gives some other small facts about trees. At the back of the book is additional information to share with children about forest layers and fungi. Overall, I liked the book and would share this with students when we learn about life cycles, trees, plants, etc. The illustrations are nice and there are many things that can be discussed while looking at the pictures that are not explicitly said in the text (such as insects live in trees) and it’s nice to discover all of the hidden details in the picture. I do wish that it would have been a bit more detailed.
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October 7, 2021Before We Stood Tall is a sweet picture book about the less flashy part of a tree's life. The parts where the seed is in the ground patiently waiting to burst forth onto the surface. Children will love the artwork and parents will love the science. It is lovely to see a book for young children that brings it down to the roots and microbes. The only thing I would have liked a bit more is if the prose were more lyric. Children really like that particularly with an unfamiliar subject matter.
Overall, this lovely picture book will be a nice addition to anyone doing a unit study with their children about trees, dirt, seeds, and all the bits around.
Thank you @Netgalley @kidscanpress @KidsCanBooks for early access to this ARC in return for an unbiased and voluntary review
Overall, this lovely picture book will be a nice addition to anyone doing a unit study with their children about trees, dirt, seeds, and all the bits around.
Thank you @Netgalley @kidscanpress @KidsCanBooks for early access to this ARC in return for an unbiased and voluntary review
December 2, 2021
Before We Were Tall is such a beautiful book! The poetic and lyrical text illuminates the lifestyle of trees but in a way so different than many other books. It is written in first person as grown trees reflect on the seasons and years of their existence. We read how they sheltered animals, clothed themselves in bark, wore crowns of leaves, and wove their roots together. The illustrations done in soft greens, browns, and rust, take the reader into the forest to discover the secrets of the kingdom of the trees. This is a book that will make you want to get outside, look up, and spend time admiring majestic trees.
The author's notes give specific details about the growth of trees, the layers of the forest, seed growth, and wildlife that depend on the forests.
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January 13, 2022"We gave back to our forest, sending our seeds on the wind and wisdom underground." The lyrical text throughout this book takes readers on a true journey that shows the magic of nature. The book beautifully explains the life cycle of trees but goes further to show how trees impact the world and the environments around them. While educational, this story is still a story! There is a narrative element that makes the educational aspect fun and the gorgeous illustrations bring the lovely words to life seamlessly. There is a lovely element of cause and effect present as well. Critters of the forest are influenced by trees and vice versa. This story discusses these elements and is a must-read for kids and adults of all ages! 5 stars!
June 4, 2022
First a note about the book. It took us a second read to understand the book because I didn’t read the summary before I read the book. If you read the summary you will see that the book is told in reverse. I didn’t get that at first. On the second read through it was much better.
The illustrations are beautiful and it’s a good book if your teaching your children about trees. The story follows the trees from a mighty adult backwards as it gets smaller and smaller and smaller. Eventually it’s a sapling and then a shoot and then a seed.
At the back of the book is an Author’s Note that explains more about trees. You can skip this for younger readers or include it for more learning. It was very interesting, even to me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations are beautiful and it’s a good book if your teaching your children about trees. The story follows the trees from a mighty adult backwards as it gets smaller and smaller and smaller. Eventually it’s a sapling and then a shoot and then a seed.
At the back of the book is an Author’s Note that explains more about trees. You can skip this for younger readers or include it for more learning. It was very interesting, even to me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
What an imaginative approach to nature study!
The author captivates from page one not only with the voice of the trees but the perspective from top down. The lyrical and commanding text guides the reader from tippity-top to the deepest-below with a lyrical narrative matched perfectly with the earthy tones and inviting depictions in the illustrations.
I found myself enchanted by the way the story brings us slowly down to the underground giving readers a new way to approach the origins of the forest ecosystem. Clearly the author has great respect not only for the natural world but for young readers, as well to offer them such a unique story structure.
As a former educator and naturalist, this book is highly recommended.
The author captivates from page one not only with the voice of the trees but the perspective from top down. The lyrical and commanding text guides the reader from tippity-top to the deepest-below with a lyrical narrative matched perfectly with the earthy tones and inviting depictions in the illustrations.
I found myself enchanted by the way the story brings us slowly down to the underground giving readers a new way to approach the origins of the forest ecosystem. Clearly the author has great respect not only for the natural world but for young readers, as well to offer them such a unique story structure.
As a former educator and naturalist, this book is highly recommended.
October 2, 2021
Yes, Jessica Kulekjian's poetic, lyrical text and Madeline Kloepper's stunning, earthy art pair well together in this gorgeous book about the life cycle of trees. However, what makes this particular book stand out is its unique backwards-telling perspective. Most life cycle books start at the beginning and move forward. BEFORE WE STOOD TALL reflects on the life of trees by beginning with mature trees and looking back on their journey to maturity. Definitely a fresh approach! An added bonus is the extremely detailed, informative back matter which you don't want to miss. Highly recommend this book for home, school, and public libraries everywhere.
October 16, 2021
I love how this book starts from the perspective of a tree--with the art showing a tall tree's view down to the curious kids below, combined with the language bringing us in to their world. The lyrical language gives the sense of a loving storyteller on a cozy day. Given the concise, lyrical language of the main text, I appreciate the additional information in the back matter, which is clear, interesting, and easy to digest, and would also work well for reading aloud. The illustrations in this book are truly beautiful; they add additional clarity to the story, and have fun details for kids to discover. There are many picture books about trees, but this one adds something new.
December 12, 2022
Before We Stood Tall is a sweet picture book about the less flashy part of a tree's life. The parts where the seed is in the ground patiently waiting to burst forth onto the surface. This book is written in first person as grown trees reflect on the seasons and years of their existence. We read how they sheltered animals, clothed themselves in bark, wore crowns of leaves, and wove their roots together. Children will love the artwork. The illustrations done in soft greens, browns, and rust, take the reader into the forest to discover the secrets of the kingdom of the trees. This is a book that will make you want to get outside, look up, and spend time admiring majestic trees.
October 3, 2025
Date: 2021
Awards: NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Genre: Children’s Nature/ Poetry Picture Book
The tree metaphor was beautiful, and I liked how it showed that growth takes time and patience. The issue was that it was hard for me to really understand that connection until the very end of the book. Maybe that is a good thing, though. After I read, I kept connecting it back to how people change and become stronger through challenges. It’s a calm, almost meditative book that left me feeling hopeful about how even small starts can grow into something meaningful. I did love the metaphor because trees and forests will always be such beautiful things to me.
Awards: NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award
Genre: Children’s Nature/ Poetry Picture Book
The tree metaphor was beautiful, and I liked how it showed that growth takes time and patience. The issue was that it was hard for me to really understand that connection until the very end of the book. Maybe that is a good thing, though. After I read, I kept connecting it back to how people change and become stronger through challenges. It’s a calm, almost meditative book that left me feeling hopeful about how even small starts can grow into something meaningful. I did love the metaphor because trees and forests will always be such beautiful things to me.
April 26, 2021
From the first line, I was enchanted by this book! From Jessica Kulekjian's gorgeous, poetic words to the rich and earthy art by Madeline Kloepper, Before We Stood Tall is hard not to love. My favorite pages give the reader a different perspective, whether it's looking down from the height of the tree, or a cross section in the earth with all the creatures the make their home beneath our feet. If I were a teacher, I would add this to my classroom collection for it's read-aloud quality, and informative backmatter that ties into tree and nature units perfectly.
September 9, 2021
In words as lush and poetic as a thick green forest and in a voice as wise and strong as a tree standing tall, this book offers a unique perspective and a fresh structure to the life cycle of a tree. More importantly, it shows us the interdependence and connectivity involved in the journey of a tree, from a small seed to a spreading canopy. Backmatter explains the science, maternal nurturing, and anatomy of a tree kingdom and its ecosystem. Author Kulekjian's lyricism paired with Kloepper's earthy and verdant art take us back in time while rooting us in joy!
January 5, 2022
I adored BEFORE WE STOOD TALL by Jessica Kulekjian. The illustrations made me feel like I was right in the forest while reading the story. Children will love all of the different animals featured in the illustrations. I loved how this book started at the end of the life cycle and moved backward -- I don't think I've seen that concept before, but I really enjoyed the difference. Highly recommend this book for your pure enjoyment or for teaching life cycles or cause/effect.
Thank you KidsCanPress for sending a copy of this gorgeous book!
Thank you KidsCanPress for sending a copy of this gorgeous book!
June 18, 2022
Great artwork Madeline Kloepper with fun little details like a seed popping open or an earthworm digging, and I love the IDEA of this book, but the execution left me flat. The words have no rhythm and no order, it's too poetic. I thought this would tell the story in order: before we stood tall we were this then this, then this, then this. But instead it's back and forth: seed - imagined tree - seed - tree - seed - tree. And some of the wording is a bit too flowery and vaguey-vague, which I would forgive if it had a good read-aloud rhythm, but it does not.
February 26, 2021
This books distills down an incredible amount of scientific knowledge into one amazing lyrical and poetic piece. Jessica tells the story of a forest in reverse with a seemingly effortless text using the repeating refrain “before” to help ground her reader. Her extensive back matter adds additional layer to the text. The illustrations add perspective and and the color palette reflects a forest at its most beautiful. Perfect for classroom use and a wonderful addition to any home library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews