A Three and a Six Year Old's Six Favourite Tree Stories

My two young daughters and I got together to decide which were our favourite tree stories. Here they are, please enjoy our list.

#6... Wonder Pets! Save the Tree

adapted by Kermit Frazier, based on the television series, 2009

Favourite quote: "Trees are living things, and we help all living things"

 

The Wonder Pets visit an abandoned inner city lot with only a single sad little tree. They set about providing care to it. Water, companionship and an improved environment. What tree wouldn't benefit from that?

 

 

#5... The Cat in the Hat, I Can Name 50 Trees Today

by Bonnie Worth, 2006

 

Favourite quote: "Knowing trees' names, my dear miss and dear mister, is like knowing the names of your brother or sister."

Don't be fooled friends, though this is a children's book it contains information that very few adults have stored in their brains. I challenge anyone to jot down and describe 50 different trees. This offering provides some high level information in a very friendly and memorable way using the Cat in the Hat brand.

 

#4... The Berenstain Bears, Don't Pollute (Anymore)

by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 1991

 

Favourite quote: "A good woodsbear plants a tree for every one he cuts. No ifs, no ands, no maybes, or buts!"

We love every Berenstain story we have ever come across. This one we have read countless times. It tells of the cubs learning about pollution, ecology and conservation. They then pass their knowledge on up to their parents.

 

 

#3... Koala Lou

by Mem Fox, illustrated by Pamela Lofts, 1988

 

Favourite quote: "Koala Lou, I do love you"

Lauryn, our eldest was born in Australia. Though she doesn't remember living there she does seem to connect with it. Mem Fox is a fantastic author of both childrens and adult works. This story gives a fantastic description of Australian bush with an Australian voice. The illustrations depict the gnarled elegance of the old gum trees and are worth the price of purchase on their own merit. We love this book.

 

 

#2... The Lorax

by Dr. Seuss, 1971

 

Favourite quote: "Speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues"

Better known today for the 2012 movie, many know the story. The movie is good but noticeably absent is the quote I mention above. This is the story of how pristine forest is turned into wasteland for the sake of corporate greed and short sighted profit. Here we are 42 years after initial release and the story is every bit as relevant today.

 

 

#1... The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein, 1964

 

Favourite quote: "And the boy loved the tree...very much... And the tree was happy"

The first time I read this to my daughter she sat there quietly thinking, then said "Read it again". This is a story of a boy in life with a tree. It is simple yet full of meaning. Any person who has not read it should. Any person who read it long ago should read it again. This was easily our number 1 choice for best tree story that we have ever read.

 

 

We would be very happy to learn of other books to add to our list. Please drop us a comment if you have more to share.