A True Story of Strength and Connection

Nov 7

Anna Welsh and Carrie, founder of Little Saps, holding the RESILIENT: The Strongest Little Sap book and a gift tree sapling in a classroom

We’re thrilled to share this guest post from Anna Welsh, a former educator and longtime Boone resident whose new children’s book RESILIENT: The Strongest Little Sap was inspired by the true story of a Little Sap. Anna and Little Saps founder Carrie McLean have been friends for years, and Anna was one of the brand’s earliest customers. What happened to one of the trees she gifted, and the community’s response after Hurricane Helene, sparked a story of hope, resilience, and the deep roots that connect us all.

When I first heard about Little Saps from Carrie, I immediately loved the idea of gifting a tree. It has become my go-to gift whenever a family loses a loved one or a pet, a living tribute that offers comfort and something meaningful to nurture. I often hear back from families over the years with updates about how their trees are growing. Just last week, one family shared that they were finally planting theirs in the ground.

After I gifted a Little Sap to my friends Erin and Will Selle as a housewarming gift, it was so much fun to watch their tree grow and thrive. I would send Carrie pictures of its progress because it was such a beautiful tree. After Hurricane Helene hit Boone in 2024 and destroyed much of the Selles’ yard, Erin told me their Little Sap had survived. I was so excited to tell Carrie, and that moment sparked the idea for the book.

I wasn’t in Boone when Hurricane Helene made landfall, and it was hard being away while knowing so many in our community were struggling. I’m a helper by nature, and I wanted to contribute in some way. The book became my way of giving back, to honor the strength of those who lived through the storm and to share a story of hope, healing, and community. From the beginning, I decided to donate proceeds from the book to support those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Anna Welsh reading RESILIENT to a classroom of engaged elementary school students during a school visit, with Carrie, founder of Little Saps, with a young student proudly sharing her drawing of a Little Saps gift tree after reading RESILIENT.

Carrie and I recently had the honor of reading RESILIENT together for the first time to a group of fourth graders. Carrie taught the class about tree farming in North Carolina, and together we helped the students draw their own Little Saps. When they joined in repeating Little Sap’s motto, “When the wind blows, stand TALL! Let your roots grab the dirt so you won’t FALL!” it made my heart so happy. I’ve always loved reading aloud when children can participate, and hearing them say the words I wrote for Little Sap was such a joy. Carrie pointed out that each of their drawings looked different, just like real trees.

I love that Carrie is pairing RESILIENT with real Little Saps as gift sets on her website so people can read the book and plant their own tree. We lost so many trees during Hurricane Helene, and this partnership allows families to help replenish what was lost by growing, nurturing, and caring for their own Little Sap.

The gift of a tree carries so many lessons. Caring for something living teaches patience and connection. These trees become part of family life, growing alongside the children who plant them. The Selles’ daughter, Isla, loves their Little Sap. When she received the first copy of the book, she placed it gently in the tree’s branches and said, “Here you go, Little Sap!” Another neighborhood child who plays football in their yard once said, “Did you see that, Little Sap? I got a touchdown!” It’s so sweet to see how this little tree has become part of their lives.

What a gift Carrie has given so many through her Little Saps company, helping people connect to nature, to one another, and to the hope that new growth always brings.