By Lori

Deep forests have often been sources of trepidation; what is lurking in there? Bad things often happen in the woods in fairy tales. But they can also be peaceful places where you can go to find solace, a break from a busy life. In these picture books, forests and trees are portrayed as caretakers, and as something humans need to care for. While not being heavy handed, they all make a case for the preservation of the world’s forests by helping readers see how vital they are to animals and people. Among other things they provide shelter for animals, and a place of healing for humans. All are tree-ly delightful and are sure to leaf little readers smiling!

Piet Cools Off

How do animals cool off when the summer sun is just too much? It’s not with ice cream, that’s for sure! They actually use the forest to help them. Alongside a squirrel named Piet in Piet Cools Off, you will discover how clever animals use mud, water, fallen trees, the earth, and shade in creative ways to beat the heat.

This cute story featuring Piet is a whimsical way to introduce readers to the importance of forests, showing how vital they are to keeping animals cool. Sidebar text provides more information about some of the animals and prompts readers to take a closer look at the illustrations without bogging down the main narrative. The illustrations add another layer of meaning as warm colors are used in the beginning, shifting towards cooler colors at the end as Piet finally finds respite from the sun.

Bathing in the Forest

People go to the forest for many reasons. Members of the Grayshadow family head to the forest because they are lonely, frightened, and anxious, emerging rejuvenated after bathing in the smells, sights and sounds of nature. The forest, anthropomorphized as a young girl, welcomes each person with open arms helping to calm them. 

The brightly colored forest scenes contrast with the people, drawn in gray hues, as they come into the forest, later leaving brightly colored themselves. In Bathing in the Forest, the Spanish writers and artist portray the forest as a healer, a place of refuge for troubled souls. My daughters were curious about forest bathing after reading, leading us to find out more. You can learn more about forest bathing, and download an activity guide on the publisher’s website. All Cuento De Luz books are printed on stone paper, reducing environmental impact.

I’m Like a Tree and a Tree’s Like Me

Side by side, a child and tree begin their lives. Each starts as a seed, fattening and growing until they break into the light, but the comparisons don’t stop there. Each is rooted in time and space, the tree by its physical roots, the child by ancestors shown in a family tree. They also both need the same things to grow and thrive – water, warmth, and care. 

Using deft, sparse text, and exquisite art, French writer Sylvaine Jaoui and Belgian artist Anne Crahay manage to create layers of meaning showing how connected we are to the natural world. The refrain “me too!” encourages little ones to participate in the reading. Our favorite spread shows children with various skin tones embracing a variety of trees, alongside the phrase “me too” in different languages. 

About Lori

Lori is a mom, wife, public school special education teacher and avid reader of picture books and adult fiction and nonfiction. She will read pretty much anything. She has successfully kept two children and a sourdough starter alive for the past few years. You can find Lori over at MyKidsReadTheWorld.wordpress.com or on Instagram @KidsReadTheWorld where she reviews and recommends picture books that represent the diversity of our world.  She and her children have read books from or set in more than 90 countries.

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