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
★ 11/01/2019
Gr 3–5—This young readers edition offers middle grade readers a chance to explore the wonders of the forest. The author explains the complex interactions that allow trees to communicate with and protect one another, feel fear, and show bravery. Under ideal conditions, trees in forests form families and devise methods to ensure the long life and survival of their species. Wohlleben introduces the basic science behind how trees work, how they make babies, who are their friends and enemies, and what it takes to survive storms, infestations, and droughts. Using terms like mothers, babies, and schools and describing the trees as having emotions such as fear and longing, the author anthropomorphizes trees' relationships with one another and with the animal kingdom. Although unusual, this format makes for easier comprehension of a complex subject matter and emphasizes the necessity of respecting trees and preserving forests. There is no mention of climate change and the future effects of global warming on trees and forests. VERDICT With many illustrations, sidebars, quizzes, and projects this is an outstanding introduction into the world of trees. Highly recommended for students of science, environment, and ecology.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY
★ 2019-06-16
A child-friendly version of the popular adult title The Hidden Life of Trees (2016).
There is irony in the idea of revising for children an adult book that boldly challenges the conventional science that keeps humanity strongly detached from the plant kingdom. Indeed, many books for children already deliberately and effectively use terminology of human activities to introduce the vocabulary and rudiments of photosynthesis, and so does this text. The latter word never occurs here, although it states: "Leaves mix water with certain parts of the air to make sugar," and notes the need for light to produce energy. It goes on to describe tree leaves as having thousands of tiny mouths for breathing and later notes that trees don't drink in winter because "you can't drink ice cubes." Intense anthropomorphism continues throughout, with chapters discussing such topics as tree classrooms, mother trees, and how an "annoyed" birch tree will use the wind to whip its branches against an encroaching tree. Occasionally, readers will notice apparent contradictions, unlikely assumptions, and odd duplication, perhaps a result of the reduction. Nevertheless, the book is full of pertinent information, including the importance of fungi to roots and of trees to one another. The author transmits both wonder and fun, even adding tree-themed activities for children to try with willing adults. 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. (Nonfiction. 8-12)
