Peter Wohlleben’s book, Can You Hear the Trees Talking?, introduces young children to the hidden life of the forest. As a well known forester, the author combines scientific information with storytelling to create a narrative that engages the readers and provides a unique perspective of the forest environment. The author’s love and enthusiasm for the natural world pervades the entire work and are sure to inspire both young and old readers.
The book is divided into short chapters that delve into various specific aspect of trees’ lives and covering a broad range of topics from how trees breathe and communicate with each other to how tiny insects tend to their livestock in the green canopy of trees. A very endearing chapter about tree parenting teaches us about tree grandparents and what tree children learn at school, while another section tells us how trees express fear and anger. By humanizing trees and describing their reactions in human terms Wohlleben evokes both empathy and understanding.
The book employs several different strategies to engage young readers. The information is divided into bite-sized portions that include many leading questions, a short quiz (with answers), suggestions for activities, and pictures with instructive captions. Wohlleben’s writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making complex ecological concepts understandable for readers of all ages. His enthusiasm and love for his subject matter are sure to spark interest and plant the seeds of respect and appreciation for the environment in young minds.
To buy Can You Hear the Trees Talking? from Amazon, click here.
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