Rooted in Wonder: Celebrating the World's National Trees

by Michelle Cusolito, Marya Wright (Illustrator)

Overview

An enchanting, fact-filled picture book for children aged 4-8 celebrating 12 of the world's national trees, including a global map of their location. 

Discover how local people use each of the trees, their historical significance, the unique creatures that live in and around them and why they are so beloved.

Trees are symbols of growth, strength and endurance. Most countries have chosen a national tree that represents their resources, history and culture . . . and this nature book for kids celebrates 12 of them! From the animals and birds that live among them, to their folklore, legends and history, discover:

• India's BANYAN: its thick aerial roots create a respite for multigenerational communities.
• Chile's PEHUEN: an ancient tree considered a bridge between this world and the spirit world.
• Canada's SUGAR MAPLE: a tree renowned for its brightly colored fall foliage (and the poems that have been written about it!).
• USA + England's OAK: a tree frequently struck by lightning, which is why it's associated with Zeus, hurler of thunderbolts.
• South Africa's Real YELLOWWOOD: a tree that became endangered when so much of its wood was used to make railroads and coffins.
• The Philippines' NARRA: a tree that shows resilience and strength, symbolizing the Filipino people's struggle for independence.
• Other featured trees include Australia's GOLDEN WATTLE, Angola's BAOBAB, Peru and Ecuador's QUINA, Albania's OLIVE, Cuba's ROYAL PALM and China's Ginkgo.

With additional informative spreads at the back of the book and mapped endpapers showing the global reach of the trees, this book will teach young people and their families just how uniquely iconic, fabulous and beloved their national trees are to so many cultures around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781917194303
Publisher:	Watkins Media
Publication date:	03/31/2026
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Michelle Cusolito is National Board Certified Teacher, curriculum developer and adjunct professor. Her debut non-fiction picture book Flying Deep was awarded the PEN-NE Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award, was named a “Must Read” at the Massachusetts Book Awards and was on the Kirkus Best Books list and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books list. She is also the author of the NSTA-CBE award-winning Diving Deep, as well as Twilight Zone, In the World of Whales, Jellyfish Scientist and the middle grade non-fiction book Window into the Ocean. Find out more: michellecusolito.com

Marya Wright is a London-based illustrator with a BA in illustration from Camberwell College of Art. She hand-draws all the individual elements of her illustrations, using tombow pens, colored pencils, fine liners and rotary ink. She then works digitally to produce unique illustrations with a charming dream-like and magical quality.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A magnificent snapshot of an otherwise hidden moment that conveys with deep emotional impact the parallels of creaturely life."
– Publishers Weekly starred review for In the World of Whales

"A brief yet powerful moment of intimacy, inspiration, and awe."
– Kirkus Review starred review for In the World of Whales

“A compellingly told story of a quietly brilliant feminist figure.”
– Kirkus Review for Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas