Am I a Weed? is a beautifully illustrated tale for children aged 2–6, set in a vibrant garden full of lessons and surprises. Meet Filipio Asclepias—Filo for short—a young Asclepias plant with big questions about her place in the world. When Rosie, “the Rose,” teases Filo for being different, she begins to wonder: Does she truly belong? With gentle guidance from her mother, Filo discovers the incredible role she plays in the garden's ecosystem. Through themes of bullying, self-discovery, pride, acceptance, and resilience, Filo learns to embrace her uniqueness. In sharing her story with Rosie, both plants come to see their similarities and celebrate their differences, blooming a beautiful friendship. This uplifting story reminds us all of the power of self-acceptance, the value of being different, and the importance of standing tall—no matter what kind of plant you may be!
Am I a Weed? is a beautifully illustrated tale for children aged 2–6, set in a vibrant garden full of lessons and surprises. Meet Filipio Asclepias—Filo for short—a young Asclepias plant with big questions about her place in the world. When Rosie, “the Rose,” teases Filo for being different, she begins to wonder: Does she truly belong? With gentle guidance from her mother, Filo discovers the incredible role she plays in the garden's ecosystem. Through themes of bullying, self-discovery, pride, acceptance, and resilience, Filo learns to embrace her uniqueness. In sharing her story with Rosie, both plants come to see their similarities and celebrate their differences, blooming a beautiful friendship. This uplifting story reminds us all of the power of self-acceptance, the value of being different, and the importance of standing tall—no matter what kind of plant you may be!
Margie Stiles is a US Navy veteran and served as an enlisted journalist (JO). She was trained in
broadcast and print journalism at the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in
Indianapolis, IN. and worked for Navy Broadcasting Service at Naval Station Anacostia in
Washington DC as a broadcast reporter and editor for the televised newscast, “Navy News This
Week.” She was a freelance feature writer and photojournalist for the Savannah Morning News
Neighborhood Newsroom Program. Margie earned a Master of Human Relations from the
University of Oklahoma and retired from corporate America after twenty-five years in sales and
leadership. She is a member of the Atlanta Writers Club and is the proud mother of two
daughters, Addie and Mya.
