Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl learns gratitude, connection to nature in sweet tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When a young girl named Bud notices all her family members have "something important to do" but she does not, she turns to her grandmother, Nokomis, and says, "I want to do something big and important, too." One morning Nokomis takes Bud up a mountain full of tall trees, flowers, and woodland creatures and guides her to become aware of "the gifts of the Earth," from the sky and the morning to the plants, animals, birds, and insects. She also urges her to figure out what she can give back to the Earth in gratitude. The next day Bud goes back to the mountain and, after careful consideration, BUD FINDS HER GIFT.
Is It Any Good?
This gentle, joyful celebration of the natural world shows a young girl learning to appreciate nature's gifts and figure out what she can give back. Bud Finds Her Gift offers a lesson in gratitude and responsibility wrapped in the cozy relationship of a wise grandmother and a curious, big-hearted grandchild. Robin Wall Kimmerer's relatively lengthy text is best when describing sensual discoveries, like "Noticing with her toes, she felt the dewy grass." And there's lots for kids to look at and identify in illustrator Naoko Stoop's lush, colorful spreads.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the animals give back to the Earth in Bud Finds Her Gift. Have you ever thought of a bird's song as a gift? Or that moss is a gift to the bird to build her nest? Or that a bird's poop full of strawberry seeds is a gift that helps strawberries grow in the ground? What gifts of nature can you spot near where you live?
Bud and her grandmother are very close. Do you have a grandparent or other trusted grown-up who teaches you things? What have you learned from them? What do you like to do together?
What are your grateful for? Why is gratitude an important character strength?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Naoko Stoop
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Activism , Animals , Family Stories
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Gratitude , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Allida
- Publication date : September 2, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 26, 2025
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