All through the winter the Root Children are asleep underground, but when spring comes Mother Nature wakes them up. Then the Root Children are busy cleaning and painting the beetles and bugs.

"Under the ground, deep in the earth among the roots of the trees, the little root children were fast asleep all winter long. . ."

When spring comes, it's time for the root children -- snowdrop, forget-me-not, buttercup, daisy and poppy -- to wake up! There are new dresses to sew, and insects to be painted.

When summer comes, the root children are free to play in the beautiful fields, ponds and meadows. But when autumn comes and the cold wind starts to blow, it's time to go back to their cosy home below ground.

Sibylle von Olfers' classic story has been loved by generations of children. It's also available in a mini-format edition and a board book for very little hands.