I am always stunned by the beauty of Danielle Daniel’s work. Each time I pick up one of her books, I am reminded of the beauty that lives all around us. Her love of the natural world flows through every story she creates. In her newest addition to her Sometimes series, Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak, illustrated by Jackie Traverse, readers are transported to forests all across Turtle Island to bath in the forest noise and escape for a little while. Coming in April but you can preorder now.

Through twelve short poems, Danielle Daniel takes readers through vivid descriptions of trees that you would find on Turtle Island. From maple to pine, her lyrical descriptions allow readers to identify with the trees and provides creative fuel for their own forms of descriptive writing.

For those already familiar with the series, Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak will feel comforting, like an old friend back for another session of contemplation. For those not familiar, you will be in awe of the meditative power of this book and you will want to explore Sometimes I Feel Like a River and Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox.

I love how this book not only describes twelve different trees but also takes readers through the seasons so they can see what the trees are like from spring to summer and then from fall to winter. No matter the season, this book will always be the right choice for a snuggle session or a group read aloud.

For teachers, this book can inspire your reader’s own descriptive or poetry writing. It may also inspire a forest or park walk to see if students can take what they have learned from the book and identify some of the trees in their own community. What an amazing story to use as a storywalk!

Jackie Traverse’s illustrations bring this book to life. By taking the tress through the seasons and with sweeping two page spreads full of colour and texture, she ensures that reader will want to return again and again to this beautiful story.