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Reviews

  • I Am the Tree may be one of the best picture book reads of 2023 to date. Its extraordinary power reaches adult and child minds on many levels and its reflections promise new interactive experiences, discussions, and life lessons. Any library interested in provocative, wide-ranging messages for all ages will find I Am the Tree absolutely compelling, while parents and individuals will consider it worthy of personal collection keepsake status, to pass down between generations: "When she got to it, she hugged the tree. She pressed her face into it. It felt like a hug from all that she knew love should be. The tree asked her to sit and stay for a while. To rest. To forget about all that she was running from. She needed that. And she couldn’t explain it, but this felt more real than anything she had ever known before."

    D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

  • "Everything about Kelly Bauer’s I Am the Tree is pitch-perfect and exquisite. The story is transformational, the text straightforward and easy to understand, the message vital, and the positivity is universal and unforgettable. I Am the Tree tells the story of a young girl who, frightened and disillusioned by the angry and contentious world around her, runs away and discovers in nature the unique oneness of all living things that leads her to self-love and a new outlook on life and the world, to which she happily returns. Kelly Bauer has crafted a modern fable that feels timeless and classic. Stella Maris’ masterful illustrations are as extraordinary as Kelly Bauer’s story. Each is a work of art, with details that amaze, delight, and portray an enchanted world and, at the start, vaguely sinister. The presence of light in Maris’ illustrations perfectly complements Kelly Bauer’s remarkable story. I Am the Tree offers hope, love of self, and the oneness of all life—a message children and adults need to hear more than ever in these troubled times. The inside front cover notes indicate that this is her first children’s book, and it’s a stunning debut. I Am the Tree by Kelly Bauer will bring hope and healing to children and adults everywhere."

    -Rich Follett for Readers' Favorite

  • “Do you remember that feeling you got when your life unexpectedly paused because something external- be it a movie, nature trail, experience- seemed to not just speak to you, but SEE you? Kelly Bauer has written a book (a book for all ages disguised as a children’s book) that will most likely give you that feeling of awe, wonder, inspiration and belonging. Not only is the story breath-taking, but so are the illustrations. Each word and design within I am the Tree is crafted with intention and purpose. It’s a masterpiece.”

    -Rob Gregerson, Owner of Legato Productions

  • "Kelly Bauer has done excellent work with her story I Am the Tree. The whimsical theme is bound to engage the reader till the end. The illustrations are phenomenal. I loved the way that Kelly used concise vocabulary to deliver a clear message to the reader. The language is expressive and powerful, which makes it a perfect read for young children to teach them to acknowledge nature and trees. The necessity of sensitizing our kids about co-existing with nature and building empathy toward the environment is crucial in today's world driven by technology. The story can be a medium to encourage children to spend more time outdoors. It is a definite must-read."

    -Ananya Hazarika for Readers’ Favorite

Downloads

I Am the Tree press release:
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I Am the Tree high-res cover:
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I Am the Tree reviews:
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Author Info

I Am the Tree is Kelly’s debut children's book inspired by an experience she had while retreating in nature.

Kelly was a storyteller from the moment she could talk. She spun stories in rhymes and songs about the adventures of her family as they traveled the United States.  She loves getting lost in another world, another time, and another dimension. Her favorite bedtime stories as a child, and inspiration to write, came from Shel Silverstein, J. R. R. Tolkien, Beverly Cleary, and Maurice Sendak.”