Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
January 20, 2022/in Fiction 8-10 Junior/Middle /by Richard Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 252 January 2022
Reviewer: Sue Roe
ISBN: 978-1800242234
Price: £12.99
Publisher: Zephyr
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 8-10 Junior/Middle
Length: 240pp
Buy the Book

The Girl Who Talked to Trees

Author: Natasha FarrantIllustrator: Lydia Corry

Natasha Farrant follows her acclaimed fairy tale collection Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror with this companion volume of magical, intertwined stories about trees. The stories are framed by the character of Olive, a shy 11-year-old girl whose best friend is a 400-year-old oak tree. When Olive tries to defend the parkland trees of her family home from her father’s destructive ‘New Plans’, she is given seven hours to come up with an ‘impressive’ reason to save them. Thus begins Olive’s magical adventures into the world of trees as she is transported from tree to tree, back in time, and from story to story, one story for each hour she has to keep her promise, all the while learning more and more about the intricate nature and historical importance of trees.

Each tree that Olive meets, Oak, Linden, Alder, Plane, Wild Apple, Tulip and Box, has an enchanting tale to tell and Olive discovers the secrets of an ancient oak, helps to rescue a boy from a hunt, learns the mysteries of kelp forests and meets mermaids, explorers, runaway apple blossom brides, musicians, and storytellers. As her magical journey continues Olive learns about the longevity and ecological importance of trees and can keep her promise and persuade her father to plant trees rather than chop them down.

This is a completely spellbinding and beautiful book, a joy to read and look at. It is full of fascinating facts and information about trees, all interspersed with the stories. Lydia Corry’s vivid, colourful illustrations complement the text perfectly, filling the pages with trees, forests, leaves, tendrils, branches, seeds, flowers, and creatures, creating a magical green world. This is a book to treasure as a gift or to discover in a library or classroom, an enticing celebration of the world of trees and the vital role they play. Highly recommended.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Richard Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Richard Hill2022-01-20 08:00:112022-01-20 08:00:39The Girl Who Talked to Trees

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

BfK 254 May 2022 Download BfK Issue BfK 254 May 2022
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Joy, frivolity and the importance of choice highlighted on the 2022 Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist

May 18, 2022

Diverse, accessible, essential: shortlist announced for the CLiPPA 2022

May 4, 2022

The 2022 Little Rebels Award Shortlist

May 3, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Great Britons Crock o’ Clock
Scroll to top