Exisle Publishing
October 2020
ISBN 9781925820539
RRP $34.99
I think it fair to say that if Dr Jane Goodall is lending her endorsement to a book then you know it must be of the highest quality.
This is a beautiful volume packed with information and richly illustrated which addresses the growing desire among children to be part of the global saving of our planet.
Challenging the perception that trees are just ‘silent statues’, it focuses on four big ideas:
- Trees give life to the planet.
- Trees can help save us from climate change.
- Trees are like beings.
- Trees need our help and protection.
Through individual vignettes focused on people, past and present – the titular ‘tree beings’ – from professors to the nine-year-old boy determined to plant a trillion trees, readers will glean so much from both the inspirational accounts and the wealth of information.
In part, straight informational text but with these personal anecdotal pieces, fun facts and interactivity via in-text puzzles and mazes included this will both delight and amaze youngsters.
As a call to arms (branches?) this would be a marvellous addition to any classroom unit centred on conservation and protection of natural resources but is more likely to be taken up by individuals keen to explore its inherent beauty and subject matter. Readers will spend hours poring over the detailed illustrations and uncovering the grace, strength, science and spiritual importance of trees across cultures.
Over the past ten months the world has been forced to stop and take some stock of the mess we as humans have created as the sudden cessation of many aspects of contemporary life suddenly opened up a vista of ‘what could be’. Families and individuals alike have taken up an altered lifestyle more closely aligned to the natural world and it’s needs. How very perfect then is the timing for this outstanding volume which will encourage young readers to be more observant and to take action.
Highly recommended – indeed, I would say essential – for readers from around eight years upwards.
Teaching notes and sneak peeks available via the links below.
Just So Stories 
Thank you so much Sue. What a wonderful review!