This was an interesting take on the theme! Admittedly, when I saw this game was about shepherding and strengthening a forest, I though of the guardian fox spirit in Jade Empire, who carefully gathers strength in anticipation of a showdown when an evil antagonist begins corrupting her forest.
While the game didn't have a twist in that vein (in my play-throughs thus far), I did see how the game could lend itself to teaching kids about trees, forests, and how they grow & regrow. Nice start!