Age range 9 to 12
A walk in the park will never be the same after kids discover this awe-inspiring book.
Meet Peter Wohlleben - but you can call him Peter the Forester!
With his groundbreaking, internationally bestselling book The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben established himself as a global advocate for forests and our relationship with trees. Now, Peter shares his famous imagination and storytelling style with children, asking surprising questions about trees with exciting quizzes, photographs, and hands-on activities to help even the most reluctant learners discover the answers.
Did you know that trees have parents, and tree grandparents with wrinkles? That tree kids go to school for hundreds of years? That there is such a thing as the forest internet? And that trees make us healthy and strong? Sometimes, even trees get sick, but we can help them heal.
Can You Hear the Trees Talking? shares the mysteries and magic of the forest in language kids will love and understand.
Table of Contents:
LET'S GO ON A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
1 HOW TREES WORK
How Do Trees Breathe?
How Do Trees Drink?
Can Trees Get Thinner?
Why Don't Trees Fall Over?
2 GROWING UP IN THE FOREST
How Do Trees Make Babies?
Do Trees Have Grandparents?
What Do Tree Children Learn at School?
Do Trees Get Pimples?
3 FRIENDS AND ENEMIES IN THE FOREST
Can Trees Talk?
Is There a Forest Internet?
Why Do Fungi Grow on Trees?
What Makes Trees Sick?
4 EVERY TREE IS DIFFERENT
What Are Trees Afraid Of?
Do Some Trees Prefer to Be Alone?
Are Some Trees Brave?
Which Trees Are Record Holders?
5 ANIMALS IN THE FOREST
Who Lives Way Up High?
Who Can Fit into a Leaf?
Who's the Best Forest Detective?
Are There Farmers in the Forest, Too?
6 TREES ARE AWESOME
Can Forests Make It Rain?
How Do Forests Clean Water?
Why Are Trees Important in the City?
Do Trees Sleep at Night?
7 A YEAR IN THE FOREST
How Do Trees Know When It's Spring?
Do Trees Sweat in Summer?
Why Do Trees Shed Their Leaves in Fall?
What's There to Eat in the Forest in Winter?
Photo Credits
Index
About the Author :
Peter Wohllebenspent over twenty years working for the forestry commission in Germany before leaving to put his ideas of ecology into practice. He now runs an environmentally-friendly woodland in Germany, where he is working for the return of primeval forests. He is the author of numerous books about the natural world includingThe Hidden Life of Trees,The Inner Lives of Animals, andThe Secret Wisdom of Nature, which together make up his bestselling The Mysteries of Nature Series. He has also written numerous books for children includingCan You Hear the Trees Talking?andPeter and the Tree Children. To learn more about Peter and his books, visit his website at peterwohllebenbooks.com.
Tim Flanneryis a scientist, explorer and conservationist. He is a leading writer on climate change and his books includeAtmosphere of HopeandThe Weather Makers.
Jane Billinghurst'scareer has been in book publishing in the UK, the US, and Canada, as an editor, publisher, writer, and translator. She is the translator of the New York Times-bestsellerThe Hidden Life of Treesby German forester Peter Wohlleben.
Review :
“A fascinating and detailed guide. ... [Wohlleben] has done a remarkable job ensuring that each page tells a complete story, answering questions ranging from how trees know when it is spring to why trees are important in the city.”
—Science Magazine
“A forest's worth of appealing sidebars, pop-up quizzes with fascinating statistics, and colorful photographs add to a strong subtext: Forest preservation is not just important, but imperative. A tree-treatise treat.”
—Kirkus Starred Review
[Can You Hear the Trees Talking?] is an outstanding introduction into the world of trees. Highly recommended for students of science, environment, and ecology.
—School Library Journal Starred Review
“As fascinating and relaxing as a stroll through the woods.”
—Booklist
“[Can You Hear the Trees Talking] presents a beautifully laid-out walk through the forest with a kindly guide, who points out fascinating sights and intriguing phenomena. Captivating, close-up photos illuminate the engaging text, making this both a superb classroom resource and a strong choice for young browsers.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Can You Hear the Trees Talking? is a fantastic and accessible version of his bestselling The Hidden Life of Trees. [Wohlleben] poses a series of basic questions for his readers—can trees talk, are trees brave, do trees sleep at night, how do trees know when it’s spring—and offers them his unique knowledge and shares his passion for trees, wonderful photographs of his forest and fun quizzes and simple activities.”
—The Globe and Mail
“Our favorite books to inspire your kids to go outdoors….an eye-opening look at how trees nurture each other, socialize, communicate, compete, and even exhibit different ‘personalities.’ The insights you’ll glean may well transform your walks in the woods forever.”
—Matador Network
“Curious kids will eat this one up, because it’s full of facts!”
—Romper
"[Peter Wohlleben's] dedication, knowledge, and passion come through on every page of this book. Filled with whimsy, information, and activities, this book is a delight for children of all ages! ”
—Powell's Books
“A delightful way to introduce children to the wonders of the trees and to the world of the forest….Any child who is curious about nature would love Can You Hear the Trees Talking?, and it would make a great book for family activities as well as for use in a traditional or homeschool curriculum.”
—Beth Fish Reads
“Kid-friendly… could embraced by a science teacher for use in the class.”
—Kiss the Book Jr.
“Children were talking with trees for centuries before scientists proved that trees communicate. What better guide to kids' conversation with our leafy neighbors than Peter Wohlleben, who revealed to adults the hidden lives of trees? This splendid book is bursting with exciting science. Better yet, Can You Hear The Trees Talking? fosters reverence and wonder for a forest far more magical than even fairy-tales claim."
—Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author and recipient of the Sibert Medal
