Bud Finds Her Gift

Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer

Illustrator: Naoko Stoop

Publisher: Allida

Pages: 40

Grade Level: Preschool - 3rd grade  

ISBN:  978-0063324428  

This book is about listening to the Earth, noticing what is happening around us, and being grateful for our Earth and nature.  Bud sees the others around her doing BIG things and wishes she could do something BIG too.  She visits her grandmother to ask her what big thing she might do.  Grandmother Nokomis takes Bud to a tree in nature where she teaches Bud that she has a gift of noticing.  She encourages her to notice with her eyes, ears, fingers, and heart and see what happens.   

The next day Bud returns to the tree and quietly notices what is happening around her. She notices a robin and is grateful for the robin’s song.  She notices the moss that the robin is using to make a nest, the strawberry the robin eats, and then the poop with tiny strawberry seeds  from the robin which help to make new strawberry plants.  All of these are gifts from nature.  Bud notices herself and uses her hands to help plant more trees.  She shares her love of nature with others who also begin to use their gifts to share with the Earth. 

The note from the author is important to read.  Robin Wall Kimmerer is a renowned author and Indigenous ecologist who wants to inspire readers to treasure the Earth. 

Reviewed by Audrey Campbell, MED

Reading Specialist and Library Media Center Director

Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus

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