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What Do You See When You Look At a Tree? by Emma Carlisle

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Published in association with Kew.

What do you see when you look at a tree? Leaves and twigs and branches? Or do you see a real, living thing, that moves, and breathes and dances?

This wonderful picture book with exquisite watercolour and hand-finished artwork explores themes of empathy and personal growth through the eyes of a child. It urges readers to reconnect with nature by asking questions that encourage critical thinking and reflection on their own development, as well as helping to establish a deeper appreciation for the environment and their place within it.

This Tree is Just for Me! by Lucy Rowland ill. Laura Hughes

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Jack has a new book, and he’s found the perfect place to read in peace – a big, beautiful tree. So when a tiger, a bear, an alligator and a whole host of unusual animals ask if they can join him, Jack says, ‘NO! This tree is just for me!” But you’ve got to be careful what you wish for. When the animals go away, Jack begins to wonder whether keeping something to yourself is so much fun after all. Sometimes, a tree is EVEN better with friends in it too! This Tree is Just for Me is a charming and uplifting tale of friendship and sharing.

Follow the Hastings-based illustrator—who creates her hand-drawn illustrations using inks, gouache paint and pastels—on Instagram:

Beatrice Was a Tree by Joyce Hesselberth

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When it’s time to go to bed, Beatrice imagines how much fun it would be to stay outside with the trees all night long. If she were a tree, she would have a trunk and branches and lots of leaves. Her roots would reach deep. She would catch the morning sun with her limbs and cradle a bird’s nest in her branches. And when the air turned crisp, Beatrice would wait patiently for spring.

Beatrice Was a Tree is a great read-aloud that illuminates the importance of trees to our planet. This picture book includes information about tree anatomy, shows how trees change with each season, gives a simple explanation of photosynthesis, and includes a checklist of animals that appear throughout the story. A perfect pick for language arts and science classrooms, as well as story time.

Includes backmatter about the science of trees.

Follow Joyce Hesselberth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hesselberth/

Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari ill. Felicita Sala

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 29 Jul 2021

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“This is a book that will appeal to adults/teens as well as younger readers. Pleasing compositions and expressive characters draw us into Felicita Sala’s artwork, which has a confident sophistication and cheerful accessibility that gives it wide appeal. Intriguing visual ideas are explored, and Sala adds layers of meaning to the text (introducing trees in different habitats; using snails to extend the idea of curling and coiling; providing a context for change over time) without losing sight of the need to engage children who may have little experience of picturebooks.” BfK 5-star review
“This book has the advantage of lyrical, accessible poetry and vibrant watercolors from an ever changing palette. The book consists almost entirely of double-page spreads, and each page turn but one yields images of trees or parts of trees—and many show gloriously diverse children and adults enjoying their time with, under, and among equally varied kinds of trees.” KIRKUS
“In strong, sweeping lines, Sala draws massive trees with trunks of green and brown, but also lilac, rust, and deep blue, that often dwarf the children playing underneath them; visitors of many ages and ethnicities stroll under the trees in a park.” Publishers Weekly

A lyrical, gorgeously illustrated look at the majesty of trees-and what humans can learn from them.
Stand tall.
Stretch your branches to the sun.
Be a tree!
We are all like trees: our spines, trunks; our skin, bark; our hearts giving us strength and support, like heartwood. We are fueled by air and sun. And, like humans, trees are social. They “talk” to spread information; they share food and resources. They shelter and take care of one another. They are stronger together.
In this gorgeous and poetic celebration of one of nature’s greatest creations, acclaimed author Maria Gianferrari and illustrator Felicita Sala both compare us to the beauty and majesty of trees-and gently share the ways in which trees can inspire us to be better people.

Follow Felicita Sala on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicita.sala/