What would a tree tell us if we just took the time to listen? Trees represent growth, peace, and nature while teaching us how to plant deep roots and reach for the sky. They also may help us gain insight into ourselves and our place in the world.
The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature’s Great Connectors
By David George Haskell
Journey with David Haskell as he repeatedly visits a dozen trees in cities from Manhattan to Jerusalem, forests (Amazonian, North American, and boreal) and areas on the front lines of environmental change, including eroding coastlines, burned mountainsides, and war zones. In each place he shows how human history, ecology, and well-being are intimately intertwined with the lives of trees.
Scientific, lyrical, and contemplative, The Songs of Trees reveals the biological connections that underpin all life. In a world beset by barriers, Haskell reminds us that life’s substance and beauty emerge from relationship and interdependence.
Visit our Community Read StoryMap to explore the many connections between the trees Haskell visits in his book and Longwood’s trees.
We Planted a Tree
By Diane Muldrow
Illustrated by Bob Staake
In this poetic picture book with environmental themes and illustrated by award-winning artist Bob Staake, two young families in two very different parts of the world each plant a tree.
As the trees flourish, so do the families . . . while trees all over the world help clean the air, enrich the soil, and give fruit and shade.
With a nod to Kenya’s successful Green Belt Movement, Muldrow’s elegant text celebrates the life and hope that every tree—from Paris to Brooklyn to Tokyo—brings to our planet.
Canopy Career Chronicles
By the team at the Morton Arboretum (Illinois)
This engaging graphic novel follows the stories of eight people pursuing careers caring for and protecting trees. Each character's journey takes a different path, highlighting the skills, experiences, and inspirations of this diverse field of professionals. Learn more.
Resources
The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature’s Great Connectors
Members, sign in and access this title as an ebook from our library
The Songs of Trees Discussion Guide
The Songs of Trees Recommended Resources
We Planted a Tree
Members, sign in and access this title as an ebook from our library
We Planted A Tree Toolkit Activities
We Planted A Tree Recommended Resources
Canopy Career Chronicles
Canopy Career Chronicles Toolkit Activities
Canopy Career Chronicles Recommended Resources
STEAM Challenge–Tree “App” reciation
Other Resources
Community Read Event Listing 2022
