Tree Whispers by Mandy Ross

Tree Whispers by Mandy Ross

"Our leaves rustle, Our roots whisper. If you were a tree, what would you whisper to me?" Mandy Ross has been listening closely to the trees, from the willow to the eucalyptus, and the sycamore to the oak. These fascinating poems, beautifully illustrated by Juliana Oakley, imagine the songs they are singing to us and the verses they speak. With a strong environmental message, the book awakens us to the rich, unique and irreplaceable biodiversity of tree life and the many species that depend on it - including ourselves.

K-Gr 3–This appealing book of poems explores the relationship between humans and trees in the modern worldWhile the concept of a tree-themed poetry collection might sound predictable, Ross cannily varies between the prosaic, the scientific, and the lyrical, bringing surprises on every page. Children will discover many ways to deepen their understanding of nature, from accurate depictions of seed pods and trunk rings to more creative fare, such as guides for imaginative tree-naming (“Welcome Shade Tree,” “Looks-Like-An-Elephant Tree”) and making land art out of sticks and leaves. Ross darts all over the world, from Japanese sakura to a baobab in Madagascar, from oyamel in a Mexican forest to the Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert. Sprinkled throughout are reverent odes to the willow; the blue jacaranda; and Pando, a vast colony of aspen trees sharing a single root system. The engaging verses employ alliteration (“What a wonder, willow waving!”), onomatopoeia (“creak, squeak, groan,/ drip-drip-drip, drop, drip”), personification (“to grow tall/ and strong in a leafy, lively, wood-wise hug”), and arresting imagery (“We turn air into heartwood,/ transform light to leaf,/ rain to roots to leaf to cloud”). With delicate lines and bright colors, Oakley’s flat-style art depicts trees, animals, and humans in joyful harmony all over the world.VERDICT A first purchase for poetry collections, and for environmental collections as well. * School Library Journal *

Mandy Ross worked for Shelter and London Underground, and as a teacher with children and adults, before she started work in children's publishing. She has written lots of books for children of all ages, including Peekaboo Baby! which was shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Baby Book Award. She lives in Birmingham with her partner and her son.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781786286826
ISBN 10	1786286823
Title	Tree Whispers
Author	Mandy Ross
Series	Child's Play Library
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Child's Play International Ltd
Year published	2023-02-27
Number of pages	36
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable