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Mighty: The Story of an Oak Tree Ecosystem
CCBC Review:
“Sometimes things happen by chance. A blue jay drops an acorn, and a tree’s life begins.” Throughout the course of this picture book, the tree in question will grow to become a majestic oak. But first, the acorn must germinate, its roots reaching through the soil. It is a seedling stretching upward, “a tiny part of a large forest floor.” Over the next decade, it becomes a sapling, and then a small tree. Once the tree has grown large and “sturdy,” animals “make their homes in the massive branches.” After a century, the tree has attracted or been home to myriad insects that feed migrating songbirds; it has produced acorns that have been eaten by other animals; it has dropped leaves that have fed worms, fungi, and more. In winter, it provides shelter for animals; in summer, humans rest in its shade. After nearly two centuries, a house is built nearby, and a small town develops around the now-enormous tree, which has become a landmark of sorts. “It is still a home for wildlife,” but it is also “a place for children, for couples, for families. It is a place for celebrations. The tree is home.” While at times idyllic, the narrative provides a solid overview of the life contained within and supported by a single tree. Gorgeous, highly detailed pen drawings teem with life semi-concealed within the leaves, making for something akin to a satisfying seek-and-find experience. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Henry Cole
CCBC Age Recommendation: 6-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Ecosystems
Passage of Time
Plants and Trees
Publisher:
Peachtree
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 48
ISBN: 9781682637333
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Cole