Story of the Root Children
Root Children Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
All through the winter the Root Children are asleep underground, but when spring comes Mother Nature wakes them up. Then the Root Children are busy cleaning and painting the beetles and bugs. When summer comes they play in the fields, ponds and meadows. Also available in a mini-version. Under the ground, deep in the earth among the roots of the trees, the little root children were fast asleep all winter long. When spring arrives, it's time for the root children, including snowdrop, forget-me-not, buttercup, daisy, and poppy, to wake up. They sew new dresses and paint insects. When summer arrives, they enjoy playing in the fields, ponds, and meadows. However, as autumn comes and the cold wind begins to blow, it's time for them to return to their cozy home underground. This classic story by Sibylle von Olfers has been cherished by generations of children and is available in both a mini-format edition and a board book for very little hands.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Root Children
Mother Earth
Discussion points
What do you think the Root Children do during each season and why?
How do the Root Children feel when they wake up in spring? Can you relate to their feelings?
What kind of adventures would you like to have if you were a Root Child?
How do the Root Children help nature? Why is their role important?
What does the changing of seasons mean to the Root Children and to us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe a hidden world like that of the Root Children. Ask what character they would like to be and why.
Discuss the importance of seasons and how they affect the environment, drawing parallels with the Root Children’s activities.
While reading, point out the beautiful illustrations and ask your child to notice how colors and designs change with the seasons.
After reading, engage in a creative activity such as drawing or creating a small garden, inspired by the Root Children’s connection to nature.
Use the book as an opportunity to teach about teamwork and community by discussing how each Root Child contributes to their world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of seasons
Explanation: The book illustrates the changing seasons through the lives of the Root Children who wake up in the spring, play during the summer, and go back to sleep in the winter.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the natural cycle of seasons and how it affects the environment. This encourages observance and appreciation of nature's rhythm.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The Root Children are tasked with preparing the earth for spring by cleaning and painting the beetles and bugs. This shows that everyone, no matter how small, has important roles to fulfill.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of contributing to their community and taking care of their own responsibilities, such as household chores or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The Root Children work together to accomplish their tasks of preparing for the changing seasons. Their collective efforts make their world beautiful and functional.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to work cooperatively in group settings like school projects or sports teams, illustrating that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The artistic tasks of painting bugs and decorating the earth reflect the use of creativity to bring vibrancy to the world.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to use their imagination in creative pursuits whether in arts, crafts, or problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Renewal and Growth
Explanation: Each spring, the Root Children emerge transformed, symbolizing renewal and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the concept of growth and personal development, reassuring them that it’s natural to evolve over time.