Do Trees Have Mothers?

The forest is a complex ecosystem and explaining its inner workings to preschoolers can be a challenge. Do Trees Have Mothers? by Charles Bongers is an excellent picture book for budding naturalists who want to learn more about trees and forests in an age appropriate way.

Charles Bongers takes young readers on a journey, with the help of Nuts, a friendly squirrel guide, through the forest and explains how trees in fact do have mothers and how those mother’s support them as they grow and strengthen. I love how each page has a simple, one sentence piece of information for children. It’s definitely a story that will inspire thinking and questioning. For younger children, it's a lovely story about how the forest ecosystem supports itself and protects the young trees from disease, pests and climate changes. For older children, it will inspire questioning and further investigation. I found myself wanting to know more after reading. What is the scientific process by which tree mothers teach their tree babies?

The illustrations are whimsical and inviting. The art is brightly coloured and matches the tone of the story. Personal preference, but when I'm reading a non-fiction picture book, I really do prefer when the illustrations are a little more realistic but that’s just me. The illustrations here are certainly appropriate and engaging for the target audience of 3-5 year olds.