Just an okay book for me. Nothing that really stood out.

Once Upon a Tree by Dawn Jarocki, and Soren Kisiel is a encouraging tale about a leaf who struggles to accept and express himself. The leaf is happy being a leaf at the top of a tree until one day when he begins to question his purpose. A bird living in the tree learns to fly, and the leaf wonders if he should also fly. Soon a caterpillar arrives and cocoons itself, later turning into a beautiful butterfly. Again the leaf wonders if he should fly. The bird and butterfly encourage the leaf to look within for the answers, and to trust and follow his feelings. Eventually the leaf decides to fly in his own way by letting go of the tree branch and floating gracefully into the autumn wind.

The watercolor illustrations are soft and gently expressive, and convey a nurturing and encouraging warmth that flows beautifully with the story. The idea that everyone naturally has a unique purpose, and that this is revealed from within when we are ready, is a hopeful and deeply affirming message for children. 

I recommend this book for children and for parents/ teachers/ grandparents to read to children. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Parallax Press and Plum Blossom in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the story, including the insistence that you look inside yourself and not to others, and do what feels right to you.

I received this book for review and was a little sad when I got only the text and no images/ illustration - I hope that when you pick it up the pictures are amazing.

The text of the book was beautiful. The story is about a leaf trying to find his purpose and learning about birds and caterpillars. The leaf gets so wrapped up in the animals around it, it forgets to appreciate the world around it. When it finally does it learns its purpose. The story is absolutely uplifting and relatable, even though it is from the point of view of a leaf. I think that with the illustrations this is going to an even more gorgeous book all around and I cannot wait to find it on the shelves.

This book came as a surprise to me and in a good way. Even though this is for children, I believe the message will be relevant for people of all ages.

Leaf feels lost and like he doesn't have a purpose. He keeps looking at others (a bird, a caterpillar) trying to find what will make him happy, but he doesn't feel the urge to do what they do. Written in a the charming and quaint ways fairy tales and fables are, Once Upon a Tree is a book someone of any age can read time and time again for wisdom or entertainment.

This is a fantastic book which I have enjoyed reading myself and know that children will also love it. Following the journey and feelings off a leaf tells the tale of seasons and the changes tree go through, which is a new, fun and exciting way for children to learn about the world around them. As a nursery practitioner myself I know how children would love to hear the story of the leaf over and over again.

A quirky story about a leaf and its purpose that gets solemn and beautifully quiet at the end. A nice book about nature, the seasons, and how every little creature has their place in it.

I'm having difficulty reviewing this book since the draft I received did not have any illustrations. The story looks very cute and uplifting, but without illustrations it fell a little flat. I love the concept of a little leaf trying to find his purpose! I would like to reread it once the version with illustrations is available.

I loved the story but I wish that I was able to see the illustrations.

A beautiful story about a leaf discovering it's role in the whole. I loved the idea of this story. It was so beautifully written you could easily picture the ever-changing trees. I can't wait to see the illustrations that will accompany it. It was such a soothing, relaxing book. Great for bedtime reading with the little one.

Wow, this is a truly gorgeous story about being yourself and appreciating differences in others. It a delightful story to read. I really enjoyed sharing it with my girls and I loved the moral behind it. If thoroughly recommend it!

A leaf hanging from the very top of a tree does not know what it should be doing--until a baby bird tells the leaf about his purpose the leaf never considered what he should be doing. Is flying a good idea? What about transforming into something different. All the while the leaf questions what it should be doing and how it should know if I is doing it correctly it never realizes that the leaf is living out his purpose!

Suddenly joy fills the leaf as it realizes that it already could feel what it should do and was doing it the entire time.

I think that this is a sweet children's book that even "adults" could appreciate. Sometimes we question ourselves or those we love about what we should be doing versus what we are... sometimes I think we already are doing the things we ought even without realizing it.

The Adobe Digital Editions version we downloaded had no illustrations, therefore, we can't really rate the book fairly. Nevertheless, this story will keep young children engaged. A leaf at the very top of a tall tree seeks advice from a bird and a caterpillar about inner urges to be/do what it was designed to be/do (to no avail). The moral of the story appears to be "be what you are created to be and enjoy it." In the end, the leaf understands his connection to the tree to which it is attached--until it floats away, loosed from its branch when the season changes.

A fun story about a leaf finding it's purpose in life, and learning what it means to be yourself. The leaf worries that it's missing out, and ends up angry that everyone else seems to have things figured out. It's important for children to realize that they will discover themselves when the time is right, and while it may seem everyone else has it all figured out, we all go through seasons of changes and rediscovery.

Once Upon a Tree is full of lovely reflection from the point of view of a leaf whose aim in life is to fly and its conversation with a bird. It is written in prose style, and longs to be a picture book. I was sent a copy with the pictures. It is poetic and philosophical in thought. It is reflective with speaking abilities given not only to a bird, but to the main character a leaf as well. The leaf knows it needs to fly, but expresses its fears and misgivings, unable, unwilling to let go of a tree. This is a lovely picture book, which I would use for story times.
This review reflects the draft galley I received from NetGalley, and a copy I received from the publicist. This book is great for school and public libraries, preschools, homeschools, nature and science centers, and for gift giving.

A small story, no doubt meant to be read out loud, about a leaf who’s happy at the top of a tree until birds and caterpillars and the like make him question the true meaning of his life.
This is by far the most emotional leaf I’ve ever known, prone to fits of drama and jealousy and most of all self-doubt. He finds himself at the end, but he’s gonna be in for a big surprise when a shoe crunches him. . . and no, that’s not a spoiler.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5

super cute, kids loved it, would make a good gift. thanks netgalley

Wonderful story about being young and growing and finding that new sense of belonging by just letting go. Highly Recommend!

This is a sweet story about a leaf trying to find what it is meant to do as it watches those around it follow the feelings in their hearts. The illustrations in this title are beautiful. They have this soft quality that draws the reader in. What I love most about them and enjoyed discussing with our three year old was the array of emotions that the illustrations capture from joy to concern and so many others in between.

Upon the first reading of the text, I was a little confused as to how I was going to sell this story of frustration and confusion to parents of my young patrons.

However, upon further reflection I feel this story fills a niche in the storybook space that treats these difficult feelings that are common to youngsters but often marginalized by parents and adults.

I am very interested in seeing the illustrations to this story. Especially when the leaf gets angry and frustrated.

A nice addition to a market saturated with stories where the wise old owl explains how things should be. I like how the leaf had to figure it out for itself.