Pocket Nature: Tree Hugging: Seek Wisdom in the Forest

by Emily Han, Gregory Han

A charming ode to trees and pocket-sized guide to appreciating them in their full glory.

Often overlooked amid the hustle and bustle of our modern world, trees have many lessons to impart. In this portable guide crafted to kindle a sense of curiosity and wonder as we explore the nature of trees, you’ll


The inner workings of the roots, trunk, and crown


How trees foster community in the wilderness


The basics of forest bathing


The grounding benefits of peaceful observation




With meditative practices and astounding facts, Pocket Tree Hugging encourages us to slow down and spend time with our oldest earthly companions.

APPRECIATING TIME Tree observation is an enjoyable pastime that gets you outside, moves your body, and calms your mind. With mindful activities sprinkled throughout, this is more than a guide to tree identification; it is also an invitation to spend more time in nature and away from screens.



GREAT GIFT  Petite, gorgeously illustrated, and written in an inviting and approachable way, this guide makes a great gift or self-purchase for nature and tree lovers. Package the book with a pair of pruning shears, sturdy gloves, a woodcut-themed journal, or other books in the Pocket Nature series for a delightful anytime gift.



COLLECTIBLE NATURE The topics covered in the Pocket Nature series are perennial—mushrooms, bees, birds, flowers, beaches, clouds, and sunsets will always be there to enjoy and admire. With new titles coming out every season, there will be ever-new opportunities to grow a charming collection that looks great on your bookshelf.

Perfect


Hikers, walkers, forest bathers, and tree lovers


Nature, wildlife, botany, and ecology enthusiasts


Mindfulness practitioners and meditators


Readers who enjoyed The Hidden Life of Trees, The Overstory, A Tree a Day, Pocket Leaf Peeping or Pocket Mushroom Hunting

112 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2025

About the author

Emily Han is a naturalist, herbalist, and educator helping people cultivate their attention and connection with the earth. Based in Altadena, CA, Tongva/Kizh land, her work focuses on intersections of ecology, culture, food, and plant medicine. She is the author of Wild Drinks and Cocktails, Wild Remedies, and the forthcoming Mushroom Hunting.

Reviews

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has anyone suggested you meet a tree and subsequently form a relationship with it? In this small book, the Hans do just that and provide the tools to effectively launch a commune with one of nature’s most critical resources. They encourage a sensory experience that includes resting your hands on the bark, smelling its woody scent, listening to leaves rustle or the quiet creaks as the tree sways with the wind. Some practical information includes tree categories and components such as roots and crowns, and how trees effect the landscape and support the planet’s water cycle. There is practical information about the differences between species and the role trees play in making the world habitable. This small and inspiring book would make an excellent gift.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

#PocketNatureTreeHugging #NetGalley

[Christine Gustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

Another delightful Pocket Nature book! This book would make an awesome addition to any amateur naturalists library. It would also be a great foundation for a school unit study. Loved the simplicity and loveliness of this sweet little book. Looking forward to adding a paper copy of this to my home library!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pocket Nature: Tree Hugging" by Emily and Gregory Han is a charming little celebration of trees and our deep connection to them. I’m always drawn to Chronicle Books for their thoughtful subjects and appealing design, and this one delivers both. The whimsical illustrations are sweet, though I found myself wishing for a few breathtaking photographs to match the beauty of the text.

This is a quick, enjoyable read for anyone who loves nature, especially those who can’t imagine life without trees. I especially loved the section on tree-related language, from the Japanese komorebi (the shimmering dance of sunlight through leaves) to the German waldeinsamkeit (the wistful solitude of the woods). The extensive resource list in the back is a wonderful touch, and it’s clear the authors have a deep respect and affection for their subject.

I’ll be coming back to this one when I have more time to savor its details, but for now, I can say it left me wanting to get outside and hug a tree. 🌳

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the eARC of this book.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To know a tree is to also know a place."

My little naturalist heart absolutely fell in live with this little book. The comforting prose, the stories that feel like home, the simple two-color line illustrations, and most of all, the trees. I'm taken back to my childhood climbing trees, and I'm reminded why adult me aspires to save them.

"Spending one-on-one time with a tree invites us to adopt a beginner's mind as we trace the curve of a branch, peer into the crevice of a knotty trunk, listen to the call of a bird perched high above, or marvel at the glimmer of sunlight dancing through leaves."

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book—gentle in tone yet rich in wonder. For those just beginning to explore the world of trees, it offers an inviting journey through their intricate physiology, the quiet power of keystone species, and the wisdom different cultures have drawn from them for centuries. The prose is warm and conversational, avoiding dense scientific jargon while never talking down to the reader. Soft, earthy hues and thoughtful design give the pages a natural harmony, while generous white space invites you to linger. It’s the kind of book that feels as much like an object of beauty as a source of knowledge—one I’d proudly keep on display for all to enjoy.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The forest, the woods, trees, that's my happy place. This book really is like a pocket guide; short, and full of good information. Some of this I knew, some things were new, all are interesting. A wonderful guide for anybody looking for a short introduction into the basics of forest bathing, grounding benefits, and peaceful observation. Discover how spending time in a forest can offer physical and mental healing, a sense of peacefulness, a sense of wonder.

[bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for any tree/nature lover, from beginner to advanced. I love the use of quotes throughout and the simple yet beautiful illustrations. The "How To" sections ("how to move with trees", "how to establish a relationship") are a great touch as well, as they made this book more personable and interactive rather than just stating facts like a textbook.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written complimented with stunning, immersive illustrations that truly bring this book to life. The information is presented in an engaging and easily digestible manner. Throughout the book, the authors genuine passion and knowledge for nature shines through.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute little book that both taught me more about different types of trees and how to broadly identify them, as well as giving ideas on how to engage more mindfully with nature.

Thanks to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for an early copy.

[Olga Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that should help change the perspective on how we view trees. It also gives practical steps on implementing nature bathing and tree appreciation in everyday life.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Lizzytish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little pocket book that celebrates trees and encourages you to hug, sniff, and explore trees.