National Trust: I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year (Poetry Collections)

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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. 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.

Wonderfully illustrated. Bought for a 3 year old, but a 60 yo (Grannie) has fallen in love with it. A truly wonderful book 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. 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! 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 - Look at the different animals in the book – which animals do you recognise? Think about their habitats and how they liveI have already enjoyed reading the poems (when Caroline’s out with friends!) for the birth dates of friends and family, and my hope is that we will read each day’s poem at dinner time, as a new gratitude/grace before meals family ritual. Paired throughout with Preston-Gannon’s evocative, vibrantly textured digital illustrations, Waters’ superbly curated poems offer something for everyone: majestic and inspiring as nature itself.” 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.

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.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.

This was a beautiful presented and illustrated book, that I will take pleasure in reading to young family members, if ever the occasion arises. One of the reasons I like I am The Seed That Grew The Tree is that it sums up Kids of the Wild’s ethos. It is a book for children, all about discovering nature through reading, which creates the learning and growth that leads all of us, children and adults alike, to transformation. The RRP is the suggested or Recommended Retail Price of a product, set by the publisher or manufacturer. It can equally be dipped into at any time, be read at bedtime, by season or just by choosing an illustration and seeing what that poem is all about!

Format

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. Outdoor Mum, lover of nature& the wild, and parent of a childhood cancer survivor. I LOVE being outdoors & have experienced the benefits of nature & the wild during serious illness.

NB Kids of the Wild received a copy of the book for the purposes of review. All views and observations are my own. Below are examples of some of the poems that I particularly liked and how I would use them in a classroom; I am besotted with I am the Seed. It's the kind of book every household should own." - Florentyna Martin, Children's Book Buyer for Waterstones I firmly believe that children who are read to are more likely to develop a love of reading, and those that love reading are more likely to lead richer and more fulfilled lives. A recent BritMums article on the importance of reading to our children discusses this further.

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. Unbelievably ambitious, utterly enthralling and lavishly producedI Am The Seed That Grew The Tree is overflowing with nature poems and glorious full colour illustrations… A true delight!” 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. 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.