The Trees Speak

The importance of non-fiction books about trees cannot be overstated. Children need these books and I would argue that adults need them too. Without forests and their ecosystems we are seeing the effects on the planet when these places are logged to extinction. Before we Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree by Jessica Kulekjian and Madeline Kloepper takes the information about trees and forests and hands it to readers through the trees themselves.

Told from the perspective of the forest and it’s trees, readers will learn a wealth of information about how forests grow and change over time. We also learn how all of the plants and animals in the forest ecosystem support one another to ensure the survival of all. Told in a lyrical, almost magical tone, readers will be enthralled with not only the descriptions of growth in the forest but also the accompanying illustrations which take readers from the canopy to the underground.

Jessica Kulekjian also includes fascinating forest information at the end of the story for older readers and adults to understand more about the forest ecosystem. I was thrilled to learn a ton about how these trees work together. After reading, trees became alive in my mind, like forest people working together, supporting one another to ensure everyone is thriving. There is an incredible message to humanity in the forests.

Madeline Kloepper’s illustrations are filled with beauty. Readers will have a ball looking for all of the different plants and animals of the forest. Adults can create a scavenger hunt through the pages to see how many animals readers can identify. They can also look at the leaves and see how many different tree species they can find.

Before we Stood Tall is an incredible story, perfect for an outdoor education class or science class created by two amazing creators who live amongst the trees on the west coast of North America.