Do Trees Have Mothers?

by Charles Bongers (author and illustrator)

A wonder-filled picture book inspired by the science of trees.

With whimsical art and gentle text, Do Trees Have Mothers? translates scientific knowledge about the kinship structures of the forest into a beautiful and affirming story about how trees nurture the young. Discover all the ways in which a mother tree protects and nourishes the baby trees of the forest understory, and show young children what it means to care for a community, and for our environment and the earth.

Did you know that mother trees help seedlings survive by transferring carbon and nitrogen through the mycorrhizal network? They can even warn baby trees when there are troublesome bugs about! Drawing from scientific research, Do Trees Have Mothers? is The Hidden Life of Trees (Greystone, 2016) and Finding the Mother Tree (Penguin Random House, 2021) for the preschool set.

The perfect book for budding nature lovers, this book introduces the forest’s complex and fascinating wonders in a friendly and age-appropriate way.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2022

About the author

Charles Bongers has had a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors as a world-class sailor, mountain climber and tree advocate. Throughout his life, he has always felt at home in the forest, surrounded by the undeniable energy of trees. Charles wrote and illustrated Do Trees Have Mothers? to help spark a connection with nature among a new generation of young people. As research tells us, the earlier a child is introduced to the natural world around them, the more likely they will choose to live within its wonder and calm and, most importantly, feel a responsibility as its future custodian.

Charles is the founder and creative director of Charles Bongers + Co., an eco-focused, brand design and illustration company. He also serves as creative advisor to Wild Entrust/Coaching Conservation, a wildlife conservation trust in Southern Africa dedicated to supporting the long-term viability of threatened wildlife populations and their critical habitats.
https://www.charlesbongers.com/

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Charles now lives in Toronto, Canada, with his family.

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Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Do Trees Have Mother's? scientific knowledge about trees and the forest is presented to young readers in such a wonderful way, showing the power mother trees have to protect, nourish and warn their young about dangers just like other mothers and their young. Cute artwork leads the way in visualizing the kinship of the forest, while also teaching about the environment and forest industy. Both my kids enjoy this one!

Thank You @douglasmcintyre2013 for sending me this book opinions are my own. For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just so sweet. Young children will learn through illustrations and text how mother trees nourish and protect the baby trees around them. I have not seen another children's book like this!

[Suzanne Riverin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on research from The Hidden Life of Trees (Greystone, 2016) and Finding the Mother Tree (Penguin Random House, 2021) this lovely picture book will introduce children to important concepts with beautiful images and succinct text. The sweet illustrations demonstrate that trees connect with each other, nurture and protect each other and provide shelter. This is a book that should be on every classroom shelf and in every home as its message is timely and extremely compelling.

[pauline thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Trees Have Mothers? is simply told and beautifully rendered. It is sure to delight and inform readers of all ages. A timely tale for appreciating nature and its built-in intelligence.

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help your young explorer learn all about the science of trees and how they communicate! This lovely book, perfect for preschool age children, explains how trees can communicate and interact in simple, easy to understand ways. The illustrations though, elevate this book. They are whimsical, interesting, and captivating. As an adult, I even learned something new by reading this. Definitely recommend!

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Yulia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, of course, doesn't count towards my reading challenge, but I just had to review this beautiful book. Written for 0-4 set, this book has lovely pastel illustrations, a science-based story and a squirrel named Nuts :) for a guide. There are many important messages here: sharing and support, mother-child relationship, environmental awareness, there's even a Native-American tie-in at the end. I highly recommend this picture book to parents and kindergarten teachers everywhere.
Wishing Charles Bongers much success on his writer's journey. Hope to see him at The Word On The Street in 2025!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message of this one was sweet, but I felt that other books have taught about plant ecosystems a bit better. I might have given it 3 stars for being informative and easy to understand, except I found the way highlights were drawn in the illustrations very distracting, almost like I was seeing double. So, it was just okay for me. But others found the illustrations very pleasing, so it might be worth a try with your kids.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help your young explorer learn all about the science of trees and how they communicate! This lovely book, perfect for preschool age children, explains how trees can communicate and interact in simple, easy to understand ways. The illustrations though, elevate this book. They are whimsical, interesting, and captivating. As an adult, I even learned something new by reading this. Definitely recommend!

[ErinTheLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picturebook. Classified as jnonfic. Reference page in the back. Soft hued illustrations are somewhat comic, featuring a squirrel narrator who explains that Mama trees help baby trees sprout, get hydrated, help when sick or when bugs attack. The info is not in detail but rather just a sentence on that this happens, not HOW.
Good for storytime or preschool-grade 2 lessons on trees or Earth Day.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a cute way to introduce youngsters to the concept of trees communicating with one another, in addition to showing how trees reproduce. A personable blue squirrel serves as narrator, and the author's illustrations are pretty.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute introduction to the concept of "mother trees" for the very young reader. It would make a great earth-day selection for preschool readers!