Little Tree and the Wood Wide Web

by Lucy Brownridge (Author) Hannah Abbo (Illustrator)

Little Tree and the Wood Wide Web
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Have you ever wondered if trees can communicate with each other? Well they can.

Recently, scientists have discovered that forests communicate via underground networks of fungal threads knows as 'the wood wide web'. In this picture book for young children, we meet a little fir tree sapling who is stretching her first leaves into a dark ancient forest full of huge trees. She feels very lonely and she can't reach any light or water. Her worried feeling sinks down to the tips of her roots, which little does she know, are connected to the wood wide web. The fungal network sends her message all over the forest! "little tree needs help!" The message reaches mother trees who can't spare the energy from their own little ones, others who are sick and can't help but ultimately, one friendly paper birch tree helps her in her time of need. When the winter comes and birch tree needs help in return, the strong, not so little fir tree withe her evergreen leaves can come to the rescue. Our little tree learns that she is part of a loving, caring community, filled with family and kind strangers of entirely different species. She learns all the ways that there are to care and be cared for, and most importantly that she is not alone. After all, the forest is only as strong as its smallest tree. Trees can communicate using up to '50 words' and can send messages of distress, warn each other about incoming danger in the form of disease or pests, learn which trees are their parents and which are their offspring. If a tree is in danger, others can send spare sugars and water via the network and even sabotage trees they see as a threat. And they do it all via the wood wide web.

This is a powerful book, that teaches children about a hugely important discovery in contemporary science, about a secret world beneath our feet and most importantly, about the strength that comes with asking for help, and discovering that you are not alone.

Select format:
Hardcover
$21.99

Find books about:

School Library Journal

Gr 1-2--Though a fictional treatment, this book will spark reader interest in how trees communicate with one another. A sweet story reveals there is an underground network of fungus, termed the "Wood Wide Web," through which trees form a symbiotic relationship. A thirsty Douglas fir sapling named Little Tree sends a distress signal through its roots to the fungal network, hoping against hope that its plea will be heard. Much to its surprise, Little Tree learns it is not alone as other trees relay messages and nourishment, thanks to a generous Paper Birch. The cycle of giving is complete by story's end as Little Tree returns the favor in winter, forming a simple yet comprehensible representation of this little-known form of synergy and connection in the natural world. Abbo's colored pencil illustrations portray etched textures, including gnarly roots and spiky leaves, that layer in natural tones, brightened with pinks and purples, for equally vibrant underground and aboveground elements. The notably small font used for the main narrative text and the trees' speech bubbles may prove difficult for younger readers to follow in order, although the style choice leaves room for unhindered views of the landscape and depictions of sprawling roots and the Wood Wide Web. The trees' facial cues, including eyes, eyebrows, and mouths, are equally small, as they subtly hint at the trees' emotions; however, the narrative and relatively trite, pop-up speech bubbles voicing the trees' plain-spoken thoughts clarifies their intent and creates a quick story flow. VERDICT While simple in its sequence, this colorful book can help animate science unit lessons about plants and living things as readers are introduced to the fungal network that allows trees to "talk" and connect for survival.--Rachel Mulligan

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"This informative picture book is about a lonely fir tree sapling, whose worries reach other trees via the "wood wide web", i.e. the underground networks of fungal threads."—The Bookseller, Children's Previews
Lucy Brownridge

Lucy Brownridge is an author and editor of children's books based in London. She writes books for children about history of art, history, animals, and science. She has an MA in history of art from the Courtauld Institute of Art and a BA in history of art from the University of Bristol.

Sandra Dieckmann is an artist, illustrator and potter from the UK. She is best known for her colorful, patterned and intricate drawings of nature and wildlife. In 2011 Sandra was chosen by Oscar-winning animator & illustrator Shaun Tan as the Emerging Talent in Illustration for her image 'Fox Tree'.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780711284876
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Ivy Kids
Publication date
September 05, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF037040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Trees & Forests
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Trees
Plant ecology
Livres d'images
Arbres
AEcologie vaegaetale
Histoires pour enfants

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!