Tree Matters

by Gita Wolf (Primary Contributor), V. Geetha (Primary Contributor), Gangu Bai (Illustrator)

The Bhil people of Central India are amongst the oldest indigenous communities in India. To them, the natural world — of trees, creatures that inhabit them, and the forest of which they are a part — is not ‘out there’, but rather exists in a seamless relationship to their home and the everyday.

Gangubai, Bhil artist, explores this relationship through her memories of food, work, festivals, illness, medicine, and much more. Her tales center around trees, and so each of her memories has a tree as its focus. Illustrated in vivid and cheerful colors, the paintings in this book foreground a universe of brightly colored dots, and lines and shapes that encompass and hold all living creatures, including human beings.

Genres: Picture Books, India, Nature

44 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2015

Reviews

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific children's book for adults from Tara Books. This one is illustrated by Gangu Bai whose traditional style of art and culture more generally I was unfamiliar with. She is part of an Adavasi community called Bhil and the artwork in the book is called mittichitra (translated as mud painting) and like many Indian traditional art forms, it was used to decorate homes. This book also has a wonderful combination of art and traditional folklore of the Bhil people, who live in forests, so the focus is on people's relationships with the various trees in the forest. It's got a rich texture to the storytelling and it's a wonderful book for children of all ages.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork has a vibrating and phosphorescent quality that's immediately visually appealing. It's strength combined with snippets and anecdotes illuminating the folkways of the Bhil people make this a standout anthropological primer.

[Anubha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for a structured read-aloud. Sparks off questions around cultural/social shifts in a community, alienness and othering, ecology -- a good place to start for a discussion on cultural views of "progress" and Grand Narratives, with a young reader.

[Supriya Bansal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some picture books are not meant for the little ones; they are meant for older children and for us, adults.

Tree Matters is one such book—a fantastic and awe-worthy narrative by Gangu Bai, an indigenous Bhil.

A member of tribes living in western and central India, Gangu Bai provides you a sneak peek into her community’s lifestyle. The fact that she illustrates the book in the traditional style called mittichittra, or mud painting, is icing on the cake.

The dot pattern illustrations paint a vivid and joyful picture of a world equally shared by humans, plants, and animals. A world where the jungle is worshipped and the Goddess of the jungle protects and provides for people. The enchanting folklore and vibrant art are like a masterclass in tribal wisdom. Mahua, toddy palm, neem, and mango trees find a special mention. Gangu Bai takes us to a world where the leaves, berries, and fruits are edible, but some could also be poisonous. And to discern that one needs the tribal wisdom passed from one generation to another over thousands of years.

A lesson in sustainable living interspersed with keeping our eyes and ears open, and adapting to the natural world, is what we, the city folks, need.

The treasure of a book is brimming with startling and super intriguing tales. There are chudels—the mischievous spirits hiding in some trees and tribal temples—built only by flag and a stone and cartloads of faith. God Kasumer makes an appearance, too; the fabled God is known for fulfilling wishes in exchange for clay horses, coconuts, and chicken offerings.

The book celebrates nature, tribal indigenous communities, rituals, and connections with the forest and trees.

Definitely recommended for older children.

A captivating read indeed!

[Emma Moffo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I believe that children would also really enjoy this book because of all of the illustration. This book represents cultural differences that are important for students to recognize at a young age. I believe that this book would be a good read aloud with allowing the students the opportunity of asking any questions they would like.

[Cassie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really shows how important trees are to life. It really shows the culture in India and shows how the legends in India pass down each year. The art really shows and tells the story. The story tells what they have in their nature and what they deal with on a day to day basis.

[Abhinay Renny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to know about Bhils and their art. Great art Gangu Bai

[Savannah Burkhalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I do believe this book would be great for a read aloud. I definitely would add this to my classroom library. It teaches the students about other cultures.

[Rohan R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art from the Bhil people. The book, albeit simple, is about the people and their lives and how they're connected to the trees and the forest. Beautiful art.

[Ed Goodbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usha Mukunda reviews the book on Goodbooks: "This book is a keeper... one takes a first glance, then another deeper one, and then goes back to it to savour every detail. The forest is the life of every tribal group. In this seminal account, the intricate and intensely evocative drawings by Gangu Bai bring out the story of the Bhils and their daily interactions with trees. In sickness and in health, in birth and death, at times of festivals and celebrations, and in good practices and bad, the forest is their lode star. It guides them, protects them and at times even intimidates them, but they can never be separated from it." Click here to read the full review: http://goodbooks.in/node/7410

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through art by Gangu Bai combined with her oral stories, readers learn about the importance of trees in her culture. The art is bright and unusual to me. It would be a good one to pair with The Dot by Peter Reynolds since she uses so many dots.

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to be used with guidance in the elementary classroom including grade 6. In what ways in this culture do the trees mean life? A good starting point for this amazing book.