Nonfiction Spotlight: Can you Hear the Trees Talking?

Cover from Goodreads.com

Title: Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest

Author:  Peter Wohlleben

Publisher: Greystone Kids

Copyright date: 2019

Target Audience: Middle Grade

Lexile Reading Level: 900L

 

Summary:

Cover from Goodreads.com

Can You Hear the Trees Talking is the young readers’ adaptation of Peter Wohlleben’s New York Times Bestseller title, The Hidden Life of Trees. It’s filled with mind blowing revelations about how trees live as a community in forest settings. Did you know that trees have their own internet service? Or that they sleep at night? How about the fact that trees get pimples? The most important secret Wohlleben shares with young readers, however, is the fact that forests are important and deserve to be saved.of the forest is that it is important and deserves to be protected.

Other features of the book include Table of Contents, Let’s Go on a Journey of Discovery (p. 2-3), which is an author’s note to the young readers about what they will learn in this book, who the author is, and the importance of learning about forest life and the hidden world of trees, Photo Credits (p. 74-75), and an Index (p. 76-78), which gives readers directions on how to use it!

Critique of Contents & Organization:

There are some awesome pictures and facts in this book. Some of the facts are more common than others. For example,

(Wohlleben, 2019, p. 4-5)

 “Of course, there are no bathtubs in the forest, which means that beech trees have to get every drop of water from the ground. They do this using their roots to feel for the spots where it’s nice and moist” (2019, p. 8).

Most middle grade readers will know that trees use their roots to suck water up from the ground. However, even as a person who focused her undergraduate thesis on forest research, I did not know that a

“tree will taste who is nibbling on it. Yes, you read that right: trees can taste. Because whenever an animal bites into the bark, a leaf, or a branch, it injects a bit of saliva into the wound. And every animal’s spit tastes different” (2019, p. 26). 

(Wohlleben, 2019, p. 43)

I really enjoy the simple chapters Wohlleben uses to organize the contents of his book. He provides several Try This! Sections scattered throughout the book that gets readers excited about going out into the forest and doing these simple, yet very eye-opening experiments. There are some of them I’m really excited to try myself (see the Use & Extension Activities section for some of my favorites)! There are also Quiz sections that encourage readers to test their critical thinking skills and extends the knowledge of the text. And lastly, there are several simple photographs that represent the information presented in the text in such a way that draws the eye and helps the readers see the true beauty of nature. After reading this book I just wanted to go out and be one with a forest.


I was kind of upset that Wohlleben doesn’t have a section dedicated to helping students learn more, or cite any of his sources. There is a lot of information here that seems really far-fetched, but a citation to the original findings, or other books that also share the same information, would make his claims seem more scientifically founded. I’m also disappointed because I feel like his adult book has better use of sources. Perhaps part of the problem is that there aren’t equivalent sources that he thinks children will be able to understand.


His adult edition of this book has been causing quite the stir in the science world because Wohlleben gives the trees a very human feel to evoke stronger emotions in the readers (Kingsland,2018). I really like this aspect of the book. I’ve always felt like animals are far more intelligent that we give them credit for, so why wouldn’t trees be the same? I think it’s an effective way to raise awareness and encourage conservationism. It also makes a great conversation piece about knowing your audience and how to write persuasive essays.

Reasons to Include this Title in Your Library Collection:

This book is filled with really intriguing facts about forests. It’s not written like a textbook, but instead encourages readers to go outside and explore the forest. It asks readers to see the beauty in nature and consider all of the benefits it provides us. It speaks to our hearts by using words that allow us to relate to forest as if it were our own neighborhood. It allows for a bit of magic to seep into the real world, ensnaring curiosity and unleashing readers’ imaginations.

There are so many wonderful activities and quizzes built into the book to encourage critical thinking, scientific thinking, and wonder. As a reader of mostly fantasy and science fiction, this nonfiction title is like a dream come true.

Read Alikes:

Cover from Goodreads.com

Title: Forest Talk: How Trees Communicate

Author: Melissa Koch

Reason: This book also talks about how trees communicate and their ecological importance to humans and the world at large.

Cover from Goodreads.com

Title: Are Trees Alive?

Author: Debbie Miller

Reason: This book also looks at the everyday life of trees and explores the comparison between trees and humans.

 

Use & Extension Activities:

•         Discussion about the importance of citing your sources
•         Any of the “Try This!” activities. Some of my favorites include:
• Blowing bubbles using dish soap and a birch log (2019, p. 11)
•  Find the Fungal Internet! (2019, p. 29)
• Try out the woodpecker alarm system (2019, p. 47)
• Build Your Own Water Filter (2019, p. 50) 
• Take a walk in the forest 
•            Read some of the scientific critical reviews with older students and have a discussion about whether or not they like the author’s decision to make the trees feel more human. Ask them why they think the author does this. Where have they seen this tactic used before? Does it serve the author’s purpose?
•         Encourage students to write a story about a tree’s life, from seed to compost. Have them incorporate at least 5 different facts from the book into their make-believe story.

External References:

Kingsland, S. E. 2018. Facts or Fairy Tales? Peter Wohlleben and the Hidden Life of Trees. Bull Ecol Soc Am 99(4):e01443. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1443

Nonfiction Spotlight: Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon

Title: Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Author & Illustrator:  Austin Kleon

Publisher: Workman Publishing

Copyright date: 2012

Target Audience: Adult with Middle Grade and Young Adult appeal

Lexile Reading Level: N/A

Major Awards Received: Amazon.com Top Best-Selling Book of 2012, Brain Pickings Best Art Books of 2012 , 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards Nonfiction

Book Trailer:

Summary:

This is a motivational read with strong, positive messages for anyone looking to find themselves, to become an outstanding artist, to love the work they do, and it also reminds readers to take care themselves, emotionally and mentally. Kleon starts off his active title by stating that “all advice is autobiographical” (Kleon, 2012, p. 1) and that his 19-year-old self could use some advice. He had ten tips he gives readers (see image to the right).

Kleon shows us that “stealing like an artist” means letting yourself become inspired by several different artists, weaving the things you like about their work into your own so that you can create your own unique voice and purpose. “Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use—do the work you want to see done” (Kleon, 2012, p. 48). He also has a lot of other really great advice that can apply to any young reader such as, “stay out of debt” (p.121) and “marry well” (p. 133).

Other features of the book include a Table of Contents, What Now? (p. 143), Recommended Reading (p. 145), Y.M.M.V (Your Mileage May Vary) (p.147), Deleted Scenes (p. 148), and a Thank You section (p. 150).

Critique of Contents & Organization:

I love this book. I think I might be a bit biased as an aspiring author, but I really think that there is a lot of good motivational advice here that young readers can relate to, such as “you are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences” (Kleon, 2012, p. 11) and “you’re only going to be as good as the stuff you surround yourself with… your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by” (p. 13-14).

In chapter 2, Kleon states, “if I’d waited to know who I was or what I was about before I started being creative, well, I’d still be sitting around trying to figure myself out instead of making things. In my experience, it’s in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are” (2012, p. 27). This is a huge message to readers of any age and any potential career field. Don’t wait to live your life or do the things you want to do. Just do it. Live life before it’s over.

This book makes for a quick read with short text sections, lots of hand drawn graphics, quotes from famous people about their successes at being creative, and hand lettered chapter titles. It reminds me a lot of a blog format. The extra sections of the book (mentioned in the summary help add to Kleon’s message about how to take care of yourself and move forward with the positive life readers are seeking for themselves. For example, the What Now? Section has several mental health suggestions (like “go for a walk”, “take a nap”, and “get yourself a calendar” (Kleon, 2012, p.143)) along with creative suggestions. My personal favorite, however, is “go to the library” (p.143).

Some readers may find the social media or blog lay out of the book to be less traditional then they’re used to—and that’s okay. I think it’s this layout that will help reach the teen and middle grade readers the most. It’s a motivational self-help book geared toward a digitally driven audience of future artists.

Reasons to Include this Title in Your Library Collection:

This is a great motivational read. With all the infographics, pulled out quotes and short chapters, it provides important, inspirational information in a format that even reluctant readers will enjoy. While it will appeal most directly to readers who are interested in creative endeavors, I think it has a lot of general advice as well that can extend beyond just those looking to become famous artists. Lastly, there are lots of use and extension activities.

Use & Extension Activities:

 To be honest, I feel like the What Now? (Kleon, 2012, p. 143) section of Steal Like an Artist makes this section super easy. Great school assignments include:

•       Start a Swipe File: have students create a collection of ideas from other people that they find interesting or inspiring to use in future work (p.22). Take it one step further and have them “reanimate” (p. 22) one of the works they’ve swiped by using what they’ve found to create their own work.
•          Buy a Notebook and Use It: have students record things from their daily lives that they find interesting and inspiring. This includes conversations, people watching notes, song lyrics and anything else that might inspire them later (p.21).
•         Start Your Logbook: have students create a journal of everything they’ve accomplished in a day (p.129).
•           Write a Fan Letter (p. 108): have students pick their favorite artist (dead or alive) and have them write a fan letter describing which work they liked best. If your student doesn’t know who to write to, Austin would love to hear from them at www.austinkleon.com. 
•           Discuss plagiarism (p.33)

Read Alikes: (found through Novelist Plus)

Title: Career Ideas for Kids Who Like Art
Author: Diane Lindsey Reeves
Reason: This book is designed to help young readers find out what kind of career paths they can follow based on what it is they love most about art. Goodreads calls it “highly motivational” and “filled with delightful text and playful illustrations”.  I would suggest this to younger readers over teens.

Title: So, You Want to be a Writer?: How to Write, Get Published, and maybe Even Make it Big!
Author: Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood
Reason: This is also a career advice book written in a conversational tone, centered around becoming an author. This book is specifically geared toward teens.

Title: The Arts
Author: A. M. Buckley
Reason: This book also gives advice to young readers about what it takes to become an artist.

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*All images, unless otherwise noted, were downloaded from Austin Kleon’s personal book page steallikeanartist.com and used in accordance with his terms for blog use.