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Tree Full of Wonder: An educational, rhyming book about magic of trees for children

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Have you ever wondered why trees are important? Why do we need to protect them?
Tree Full of Wonder is a vibrant, rhyming, educational and unique picture book showing the unbreakable bond between people and trees. Children will fall in love with nature and will become Protectors of the Trees.
Mindful stories for kids create a brighter and calmer future, one child at a time.

Through included, simple information, breathtaking illustrations and worksheets at the end, children will discover:
- Why trees are important and useful to us
- What can we do to protect them
- How to recognise common trees

Perfect for fans of:
Peter Wohlleben books
The Hidden Life of Trees
Peter and the Tree children
Sir David Attenborough
Greta Thunberg

Great for parents who are looking for:
children's books about trees
books for children about nature
tree picture books
books that rhyme

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2021

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About the author

Anna Smithers

15 books24 followers

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5 stars
380 (67%)
4 stars
112 (19%)
3 stars
56 (9%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Dez the Bookworm.
581 reviews408 followers
November 15, 2022
Beautifully done children’s book with a wonderful message

Highly recommend reading this book to your children, or having your young child read it to you. The message is to be aware of how are trees help our world and how we can help our trees. A story with a message, I love it.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
48 reviews10 followers
October 6, 2025
A friend of mine is expecting her first child next month, and I'm on a mission to assemble a stack of books to help start her child's library. I ordered this book based on the title since the parents-to-be have a special affinity for trees. Well, I would think we all do, but that's beside the point.

Based on the text and illustrations, the book is intended for children ages 2 through 7. It's the sort of book a parent would want to read aloud in the earlier years to entertain the child with poetic rhyming.

Midway through, I read:

"Some trees live for a hundred years
some trees even more.
But all of them hide stories full of
Magic, love and war."

What? War? Why would I want to even begin to describe to a three-year-old what that means?

Then I turn the page.

"One story says a tree was prized in 1651,
for helping out a two-time king when he was on the run.
The Civil War was lost, but Charles the Second slipped away.
When captors came, he hid inside the Royal Oak all day."

Civil War? Captors? I was done at that point. Maybe I'm being too critical, but since this is a gift I'm being a bit more careful. Make Way for Ducklings, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear and Jamberry careful.

The overall message to appreciate and care for our trees is important, but I cannot see myself including this one in the gift box. I had ordered The Giving Tree as well, but I found that one disappointing also.

With that said, anyone with recommendations for a children's book about trees would be appreciated.
Profile Image for Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker.
590 reviews40 followers
September 4, 2024
Written by Anna Smithers and illustrated by Martyna Nejman, “Tree Full of Wonder” is a beautifully illustrated book. Both Smithers and Nejman created this book harmoniously. With gentle rhymes, Smithers shows children the importance of trees in the book, and educates them as well, especially with two pieces in the back: “Can You Spot the Tree?”and “How Can We Help?”

I love Nejman’s illustrations. I particularly appreciate that she included a diverse number of ethnicities in her illustrations (e.g., European American, African American, Asian American). The only thing that she didn’t include was a child with disabilities.

Overall, this is a really beautiful book and one that I’m certain that children will enjoy reading.
Profile Image for Carol Engler.
492 reviews4 followers
December 7, 2024
Just looking at books for my granddaughter who is almost 4. The ideals behind this book just won't connect with her.
Profile Image for Esther Hallel Brimm Lehman.
62 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2023
I enjoyed Martyna Nejman's illustrations for this work.
In general I appreciate rhyme. I found the rhyme here to be off-putting for me, for two reasons. First, the rhyme felt strange without any use of meter. Also, the word choice felt artificial, that words were employed not because of their content, but just because word a and word b have to go together.
I found the book to be wordy in general as well, and that it's likely to be rushed by an adult when reading to a child in an attempt to keep their attention.
I liked the ideas and intentions of this work but didn't love the execution. Has anyone else found good children's books about trees? Any recommendations?
Profile Image for Holly Mazzochi.
Author 2 books26 followers
February 21, 2022
Wow, just wow! This book is 10/10! The illustrations are so vibrant, detailed and beautiful. I am very excited to share this book with my classroom. Not only will it make for a marvelous science lesson but inside it holds an important message to take care of our trees. Nature is truly amazing and Tree Full Of Wonder captures just that! Lovely message; Lovely read!! I am inspired to go plant a tree!
Profile Image for Dee.
320 reviews
December 4, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and a nice message.

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Read as part of my new "Settle back Sunday" initiative where I take advantage of access to children's books I can borrow and give back. When I was a kid, the weekly trips to our town library were some of the few things I loved about my childhood. And the pile of books mom would bring home, from picture books to chapter books, were the things that got me through many a terrible time.
Profile Image for Laura.
169 reviews15 followers
January 1, 2022
A beautifully illustrated book for young children, helping them to appreciate the wonder and the beauty of trees and how they are critical to the ability of humans to live and thrive.
Profile Image for Kristy.
54 reviews
June 5, 2023
Not really about trees

I love children’s literature. I don’t think this book is very good, and I hate to say that because I think the author tried. Some problems:
—the rhymes are a stretch and some are not rhymes at all. If I were in a classroom trying to teach rhyme scheme, I could not use this book. The children would be confused.
—the anecdotes are so brief that most children would not understand them. For children who are not British, the two-page allusion to Charles I is bad. The story alludes to the king as hiding in a tree, but the picture does not show it. Plus, she says he was king twice, and that’s incorrect.
—the author is clearly a believer in fighting global warming. Great! I think children need to be taught to care for our Earth. But again, I think most of the references are very obscure. I wish I had been told in the promotional quotes and book description that this is a book about ecology. They make a big issue of trees being magical, but only one reference in the text.
I hoped to share this book with my grandchildren, but I don’t think it has enough value or will capture their attention.

I actually think my three star rating is too high, but the book has good intentions.
Profile Image for Monika.
Author 23 books26 followers
October 14, 2025
A Gentle Ode to Nature’s Green Giants

Anna Smithers’ Tree Full of Wonder is a beautifully written and illustrated celebration of trees—their magic, importance, and quiet wisdom. Told in soothing rhyme and paired with luminous artwork by Martyna Nejman, this book draws children into the world of nature with awe and tenderness. It’s both an educational introduction to the life of trees and a poetic reminder of how deeply we’re connected to the natural world.

Each page captures a different aspect of what makes trees extraordinary: their ability to give us oxygen, shelter wildlife, and mark the passing of time through the changing seasons. Smithers’ verses are melodic and accessible, turning complex ecological ideas into joyful, easy-to-understand concepts. Young readers come away not only learning about trees but also feeling inspired to protect them.

Martyna Nejman’s illustrations complement the lyrical text with a dreamlike palette of greens, golds, and blues. Her art radiates calm and wonder—perfect for bedtime reading or classroom storytime. The combination of rhythm, rhyme, and stunning visuals makes the book a sensory and emotional experience for children and adults alike.

Tree Full of Wonder is a heartfelt invitation to pause, breathe, and look up. It encourages mindfulness, gratitude, and respect for nature—beautifully bridging science and storytelling in a way that nurtures both curiosity and care.
Profile Image for NBPB Reviews.
303 reviews45 followers
July 19, 2022
The book starts with clues for the reader to find the story’s protagonist. Yes, it’s the mighty tree. Then it talks about the different ways trees have been helping us, including how they let us have fun by swinging in their branches and even their role in history. But then everything is changing too quickly with us cutting more trees. The book concludes with growing more trees and returning the gratitude.
Book page
We picked this book because we fell in love with the cover. It didn’t fail us. The illustrations are beautiful with a vintage feel. The story communicates a much-needed message of protecting nature. However, the story may require some adult help to explain certain words and concepts.
The dreamy illustrations and need of hour message make it a perfect bedtime pick.
Read our full review at Nothing But Picture Books
Profile Image for Denise.
409 reviews38 followers
February 19, 2022
This book has possibly the most beautiful illustrations I've ever come across. They are so majestic and perfectly capture the beauty of the story. If the eye-catching images aren't enough to draw you in, the relevant and important message of the book should.

The story is engaging right from the start, as it invites readers in to guess what the "dear old friend" is. This is an especially great way to get children interested and invested. I love how all the amazing benefits of trees are highlighted in such relatable ways throughout the pages, before introducing the reader to a way they can make a difference in the world by planting more trees. The message comes across gently, but effective, which is perfect for children and adults alike.

I also love how the author hides so many different types of trees throughout the book! She provides a key for them at the end, along with pages of tips on how to protect trees.

Overall, this is an amazing and beautiful book from start to finish. There is nothing not to love and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Profile Image for Lyra Evans.
56 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2023
Have you ever wondered why trees are so important and why we all need to protect them? This book helps to answer that question.
Tree Full of Wonder is a vibrant, rhyming and educational picture book. It shows the readers the unbreakable bond between trees and people. Children are always curious about nature and they will fall in love with trees, and hopefully become protectors of all the worlds Trees. This book teaches us how vital trees are, as well as how much history they must have.
The illustrations are really beautiful, and rich with colour and full of detail.
The book encompasses all the wonderful facts and details to help us learn about the importance of trees. This book has a vitally important message for all its readers. At the end of the book we learn how we can help trees and can you spot a tree?
Profile Image for Barbara Ann.
Author 22 books188 followers
December 14, 2021
What an adorable rhyming picture book! The story begins with a riddle for young readers to ponder.

Children learn how humans and trees are dependent upon each other. Trees give off the oxygen that we breathe in while taking in the carbon dioxide humans breathe out. The author explains how trees are useful. They provide wood and paper for us, stabilize our weather, provide shelter, give us food, and afford countless opportunities for having fun.

At the end of the book, readers can test their knowledge by identifying the twelve different trees mentioned in the book and accepting the challenge to replace the trees that have been cut down.

Highly recommended for primary and elementary grade readers.
Profile Image for Rebecca Porter.
45 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2022
Beautifully written

A couple great things about Tree Full Of Wonder. 1. I loved how the author made this a rhyming book, it felt like a tree & human love poem. Reminding me of my childhood for the love of trees, climbing them, sitting underneath with friends, or picking cherries. 2. The author added a fun spread with different trees at the end, for your child to identify these trees. 3. The illustrations are breathtaking. I caught myself looking at every detail because it was that beautiful. 4. Another spread at the end with advice, on how to help with trees.
Tree Full Of Wonder is a wonderful story for all to enjoy, & if you are a teacher on the topic about trees, this book will be a wonderful addition for your students.
Profile Image for Rella B..
Author 5 books61 followers
May 28, 2024
This lovely picture book is made for little ones, teaching them to love and enjoy the amazingness and beauty of trees. It shows how important trees are for people to live and thrive. I appreciate how the book cleverly highlights the wonderful benefits of trees in relatable ways encouraging readers to make a positive impact by planting more trees. The message is gentle yet effective, making it suitable for both kids and adults. I also admire how the author hides various types of trees throughout the book, providing a key at the end for identification, along with helpful tips on protecting trees. In conclusion, this book is truly amazing and beautiful from start to finish. There's everything to love about it, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!
Profile Image for Niharika.
57 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2025
Tree Full of Wonder is a story about the multiple uses of trees. It also talks about the magic, wonders, and beauty hidden in a tree. It starts with a riddle to let the readers guess what they are diving deep into. Trees live a long life and protect the planet from harsh climatic change. Trees communicate through roots and absorb the nutrients that help them to grow. When we breathe out, the trees breathe in and convert it into oxygen. Trees also saved the lives of kings when they hid in the Old Oak. Trees are big and strong and give us figs and other things to eat. Trees make swings and books. But the trees are getting chopped so we need to fix the situation by building more trees.

PS. Trees provide many useful things. It makes the environment colorful.
77 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2025
Tree Full of Wonder by Anna Smithers is a fun, rhyming book that helps kids see how amazing trees are. It teaches them about the important jobs trees do like giving us oxygen, providing homes for animals, and keeping our planet healthy. This information is given in a way that’s easy to understand and exciting to read. I’d use this book to kick off a lesson about trees and the environment. After reading, we could go outside and explore the trees around us, talking about what we see, hear, and feel.
Profile Image for Nisa_nisa.
148 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2021
Brilliant and inspiring!

A beautifully illustrated book on the importance of trees and how they have served us in the past and the present in more ways than one - namely food, shelter, and the one we are most familiar with, oxygen. This book not only subtly teaches about tree physiology but also the importance of tree conservation and the planting of trees. It invites kids to appreciate the natural beauty of plant life and encourages them to care for the environment. This book is both brilliant and inspiring.
66 reviews5 followers
December 26, 2021
literally a tree hugger book

Very educational and a good reminder of the reasons trees are important to us. Amazing achievement in so few pages. Only concern is that it is both simple and complex and was confusing to me because of that. Maybe children get less confused about the mixture and grow in their understanding as they read. And are spurred to research the parts that interest them
Author 27 books4 followers
February 22, 2022
Excellent book about the importance of trees

This is an excellent book about the importance of trees. It describes what all trees do for us - give us fruit and other yummy things to eat, wood for making things like houses and swings, provide stories of the past and magic. The story also teaches children to take care of tree and to plant some too. It is written in rhyme and nicely flows from beginning to end. The story has a sweet, kind tone to it.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,741 reviews214 followers
February 22, 2022
TREE FULL OF WONDER by Anna Smithers, illustrated by Martyna Nejman is a children's story focusing on the trees, on the environment, and on the wondrous things trees do for nature and the world.

Told in AABB rhyming scheme, the text is simple and easy to understand for a young child; the images are colorful in muted tones of nature.

The back of the book includes pictures to identify the various trees found on the page, and way in which we can al help to save the trees.
Profile Image for Read M Books.
196 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2022
Trees are wondrous!

I love the beautiful illustrations and rhyming verse of this story that educates the reader while its provocative verse move us to turn each page. It's suitable for a wide range of ages, including adults! The teaching children about trees and nature part is spot-on without being preachy. And hopefully, kids will learn to treat nature and our planet with care. Kids will love this book!
Profile Image for Sandra Stiles.
Author 1 book82 followers
December 26, 2023
I really loved this book. I grew up on a farm and outside my bedroom window was a giant maple tree. I loved the shade it provided, the colors that came in the fall. This book shows the connections we have with trees and all the things we need them for. The pictures are beautiful. The end of the book has a section with pictures of different types of trees and asks you to find them in the book. Then there is a page that tells what we use trees for.
Profile Image for Karen Olson.
Author 2 books16 followers
December 6, 2021
Lovely!

What a lovely story! I have no doubt that this will be a favorite with children. Not only does it flow nicely with the rhymes, but the stunning illustrations (my favorite is the one with the girl hugging her tree) help tell the story perfectly. Kids might not even notice that it's educational.

123 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2022
A whimsical wonder!

Anna educates children on the important relationship between trees and people as she entertains them with whimsical rhyme and enchanting illustrations. “Spot the Tree” is an engaging finish to this wonder filled story and “How to protect Trees” offers us conversation starters. A Tree Full of Wonder encourages kids to enjoy and experience the wonder of trees!
5 reviews
July 31, 2022
Thoughtful tribute with gorgeous illustrations!

Beautiful feel-good rhyming story with a little bit of science, a little bit of history, and important lessons about taking care of our natural environment. I love the “Can You Spot” section at the end - great way to keep kids engaged!
Profile Image for Kathryn.
760 reviews5 followers
October 12, 2022
Informative

Trees are pretty amazing. This book shares some interesting facts about trees, most of which are not found in a typical children's book. The pictures are pretty, and I appreciate the proactive ideas in the back. I wish it didn't rhyme, though. A lot of them were a stretch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews