Blog Tour: The Girl Who Talked to Trees

The Girl who Talked to Trees is a magical interwoven collection of stories celebrating a young girl’s deep connection to the trees that surround her as they tell her their stories, transporting her to different times and places.    I was utterly entranced by these beautifully written stories resonating with an ecological message of the need to respect and appreciate the natural treasures we have around us.  

This is an exquisite hardback illustrated edition that would make a very special gift for young readers, one to be cherished and returned to again and again. 

Eleven-year-old Olive’s best friend is a 400-year-old oak tree, so when her father decides to cut it down in order to build a summerhouse to impress his friends, this shy young girl decides that she must speak out to protect her friend. Her father makes a bargain with her:  she has seven hours to think of something more impressive than a summerhouse to stop him from cutting down the tree …  Will Olive find a way to change her father’s mind with help from her friend?  Will she be able to keep the promise she makes to the oak trees? 

Seven hours for seven trees and seven stories to tell …

And what wonderfully captivating stories the trees share with her! I absolutely love the idea of listening to the memories of trees, who have witnessed so much, as they tell their stories … stories of danger, of revenge, of change, of hope, of friendship and love … stories that sing with an appreciation of these natural treasures.

Olive is taken on an unforgettable adventure through time and place: to a medieval forest, an underwater forest, into a maze and to Persia and North America.  Each of the stories told by the trees she encounters is a sheer delight imbued with a fairy tale magical quality, but also with messages of the need to preserve, appreciate and protect our trees. 

Before each tree’s story, there is a wonderful illustrated double-page spread about the tree with fascinating tree facts.  And oh my:  the illustrations!  They are absolutely gorgeous:   from the front cover, to the many full-and-partial page internal images and the end pages.  The illustrations are vivid and warm, resonating with the wonder and beauty of the natural world. 

This is a really special book that engenders such an appreciation of nature, and is sure to enchant young readers as they enjoy the magical tree stories and delight in the gorgeous illustrations.  Perfect for children of 8+. 

Thank you so much to Zephyr and Lynda Smythe for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour: