The Book of Tree Poems

by Ana Sampson (Editor), William Wordsworth (Contributor), Thomas Hardy (Contributor)

Could there be a more pleasant way to spend a warm afternoon than lazing under a tree reading poetry inspired by these shade-giving wonders of the world? Trees have sparked some of the biggest literary imaginations over the ages and - as the climate emergency escalates - it has never been more important to appreciate our vital connection to them.

This beautifully illustrated anthology of sixty tree poems is a celebration of our love of trees. With poems by some of the world's best-loved poets including William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, William Meredith and W.H. Auden, The Book of Tree Poems will help you see trees as you've never seen them before.

Our natural historians have amazed you with their biology and the ways in which they influence our lives, now it's the poets' turn to make you fall in love with their beauty, strength and character.

The Book of Tree Poems taps into the trend for gifty poetry anthologies and is a beautifully illustrated gift for any tree lover with a passion for literature. The first full-colour illustrated book of tree poems - the perfect stocking filler for nature enthusiasts everywhere

Taps into the trend for gift poetry anthologies such as The Poetry Pharmacy and A Poem for Every Day of the Year and will appeal to those who bought Around the World in 80 Trees and The Story of Trees

A thoughtful collection of poems by some of our best loved poets including Robert Graves, Seamus Heaney, Charlotte Mew and Nancy Willard.

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Ana grew up in Kent. She studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield and gained a BA and MA before starting a career in publishing PR. Ana has contributed articles to various publications including Writers’ Market UK, The Book Club Bible (Michael O’Mara, 2007), Cringe and The Bookseller. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud: And Other Poems You Half-Remember From School, her first anthology of well-loved poems, was the third bestselling poetry book of 2009. This was followed by Tyger Tyger Burning Bright: Much-Loved Poems You Half-Remember, Poems to Learn by Heart, Green and Pleasant Land: Best-Loved Poems of the British Countryside and Best-Loved Poems: A Treasury of Verse. She has appeared on television and radio discussing books, book clubs, teenage diaries and poetry. Ana lives in Surrey with her husband, two daughters and two demanding cats.

Reviews

[Ruby Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, words and paintings. It felt like a warm hug

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to add paintings to my poetry books 💜

[Charles Brewton · Rating 5 out of 5]

On my way to Redwood National Park I stopped at the bookstore in Mendocino just to browse and this happened to be the first book that caught my eye. So I bought it, and the next day I sat down underneath a giant redwood in the park and read it out loud to all the trees around me. I liked this book, and I think the trees did too. Just as good as the poems is the book’s original art - love the watercolor illustrations.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful little volume.

Gorgeous illustrations and a lovely selection of poetry. The highlight for me is Little Tree by EE Cummings; I've never encountered it before and it's conjured such nostalgia, comfort and warmth.

A very welcome addition to my bookshelves.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think reading this collection before I went to sleep each night was what saved me this past month. There truly is no poem as lovely as a tree but I greatly enjoyed hearing each of the poet's attempts. May I add many lines and leaves in their footsteps in the years to come.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet anthology paired with beautiful watercolor illustrations. Definitely giftable.

[Jennie Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely collection with the most beautiful and luscious watercolors.

[Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful book of poetry with gorgeous watercolour illustrations!

I'm not usually one for poetry books, as I often find I only like 1 or 2 poems in the whole book, and then it feels like a waste to take up so much space on my bookshelf, but this little book of delights had an abundance of poems that I have come back to time and time again. The book itself loosely follows the seasons, so finding poems to complement the atmosphere (and my mood!) is incredibly easy to do!

"Tree" by Alfred Joyce Kilmer made me giggle with delight, "The Purple Peach Tree" by Su Tung P'o took me straight back to my primary school English lessons and childlike wonder of words and "Forest" by Carol Ann Duffy took my imagination on a wander into the depths of the woods...each poem was a gift and I return to this book over and over again.