A fearful young tree finds courage in this picture book.

Kara worries that “Wind could smash her, Water could drench her, Earth could swallow her, And Night…could freeze her” before she has the chance to grow older and taller. When she voices her concerns to tall Utsa, who is over 200 years old, the wise tree relates a story about her daughter, Aa-hum, and the girl’s cousin Viheen, who got caught in a hurricane. The two trees reacted differently: Viheen “smirked at Water” while Aa-hum “took it as if she were taking a shower.” Viheen “shook his roots” and “sneered at Night” while Aa-hum “dug her roots” and “huddled with Night.” Aa-hum still stands “one hundred years and many storms later,” but Viheen was destroyed. Inspired by the tale, Kara aims to stay strong. That night, she boldly withstands a storm. She “smiled and bowed as Wind passed by” and as “Water slammed…Kara’s roots drank all they could.” Kara awakens the following morning to a bright day: “I will hum through storms. I will dance to tunes.” Utilizing lyrical language, Anand offers a lovely, thought-provoking sentiment about appreciating one’s surroundings and persevering through unpredictable, scary circumstances. Kara’s realizations and spirit will inspire readers facing challenges in their own lives. Redwood’s lush, pleasant illustrations portray expressive, anthropomorphic trees and beautiful forest backdrops in mostly dark hues. Some feature artistic details like human figures swirling in the sky.

An engaging nature tale that emphasizes themes of resilience, bravery, and respect for the elements.