Acorn Was a Little Wild (Jen Arena)

Hello, friends! Our book today is Acorn Was a Little Wild, written by Jen Arena and illustrated by Jessica Gibson, a playful tale of one very adventurous young seed.

Acorn was the first of his generation to take a flying leap from the tree. The great oak warned him not to, that squirrels would get him, but Acorn didn’t care – he was ready for an adventure. This began the little seed’s journey into the wider world, filled with ups, downs, a plenty of surprises along the way. What will become of our little acorn? Will the squirrels get him after all? Or is he destined for something more.

Positively delightful. Acorn’s entrance into the unknown is amusing and heartening, especially when viewed as a metaphor for a child striking out on their own. What makes this narrative especially enjoyable, however, is Acorn’s unflappable optimism and zest for life, even in times of trouble. It keeps the tone funny and cheerful, encouraging an adventurous spirit and a sunny outlook to young readers. Arena’s text is energetic and fun to read aloud, and Gibson’s cartoonish naturescapes give lively personality to every plant and creature. The length is perfect for any storytime, and JJ had a ton of fun with this one. Overall, an absolute treat, and we highly recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Because Of An Acorn (Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer)


Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year! Our first book of 2017 is Because Of An Acorn, written by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon, a gorgeous look at ecosystems and the importance of each element therein.

Because of an acorn, a tree can grow. Because of a tree, a bird can nest. Page by page, occasionally peeking through a cutout, this book explains in simple, minimal text the importance of each part of an ecosystem, and how even the smallest plant or animal can impact their environment.

This was a great book to explain how these sorts of communities in nature must maintain balance to thrive, and it’s a great length for very young readers. The illustrations are great, and fill each new species with color and life. JJ enjoyed it a lot, and this is great for anyone wanting to teach little readers about the importance of each great tree, and each little acorn. Baby Bookworm approved!