Wake Up, Little Pin: The Story of a Sleepy Sapling. Written by Loretta Garbutt and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer. Owlkids, 2024. $21.95 ages 4 and up

"That bright morning, Little Pin Oak stretched the tips
of his young limbs wide and reached as high as he could
with the top of his crown. After a long winter’s sleep,
the sun felt good. The young tree was wide awake now."

Before the story begins, Ms. Garbutt tells her audience: 

"When I first learned about the importance of mother trees
in the forest and how they helped their young saplings grow, 
I was amazed."

That was the impetus for this story about a mother tree and her sleepy offspring. When Great Mother Pin Oak awakens in the spring, she does what all do after a long sleep. She stretches and reaches as high as she can. At her side, Little Pin Oak is still asleep. 

Mother Pin has things to do. She satisfies her thirst while enjoying the early sun. Only then does she wonder why Little Pin is so quiet. She whispers gently to her sapling. Pin sleeps on. Knowing the wee tree needs help, she continues to encourage movement. Finally, she turns to the forest for help. 

She calls out to Red Squirrel for help to spread the news that Little Pin will not wake up. A meeting with Vole leads to Vole digging some extra tunnels to help nourishment reach Little Pin's roots. As signs of spring continue, birds and birdsong are sure to help wake the tiny tree. Melting ice drips water to provide a drink. Nothing seems to make the difference needed. 

"Mother Pin signaled to the dark, rich earth - 
her medicine cabinet and storehouse of goodness
right below her roots. "Fungi, we need your vitamins
and minerals to give Little Pin more strength. Some of 
my sugars will help, too."" 

With the help afforded by fungi threads, a porcupine's scat, and warm sunlight, Little Pin gets just what is needed to finally awaken to the beauty of the season and the opportunity for growth. 

Digital illustrations, using green, brown and gray, fill spreads with welcome scenes from the forest habitat as spring awakens all that live and thrive there. Back matter adds further facts about forest life and offers a reading list for those who would like to know more.