How to Be More Tree: Essential Life Lessons for Perennial Happiness

by Liz Marvin, Annie Davidson (Illustrator)

This beautifully illustrated book brings together sixty essential life lessons inspired by the infinite wisdom of trees.

Trees do not have brains to think with, or nervous systems that cause them to feel things, and yet they are undeniably clever. From their ability to adapt, to their understanding of the strength of networks and mutually beneficial relationships, they put us to shame with their natural ability to thrive, even when they find themselves in less than ideal environments.

This beautifully illustrated book brings together sixty universal life lessons taken from the infinite wisdom of trees. We learn about the importance of asking for help when you need it from elms, who call in an army of parasitic wasps when they're being attacked by caterpillars. And acacias, who look out for each other by producing a gas when they're being nibbled on by herbivores to warn their nearby friends, while the Chinese pistache show us the power in pacing yourself, and why slow growth can lead to stronger foundations.

From the importance of patience, to drawing strength from others, to weathering the storm, to dealing with life's most persistent irritants - this is a celebration of the heroes of the forest, and an essential companion for dipping into when we need a little inspiration.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Self Help, Environment, Mental Health, Inspirational, Graphic Novels

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2019

Reviews

[Lai Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5 sao

Em sách này là một tập hợp của rất nhiều loài cây trên khắp hành tinh. Đúng với cái tên, em ý đi từ những đặc tính của cây cối để đưa ra những bài học cho cuộc sống của con người, chuẩn chất "sống như những cái cây" 🌳 🌳 🌳

Mới đầu cầm em ý trên tay mình muốn xỉu vì sự xinh của em ý luôn. Bìa cứng siêu đẹp, mở ra thì đổ rầm rầm vì mỗi trang đều có hình mình hoạ cho loài cây được nhắc đến. Những màu sắc sinh động trên nền giấy cứng được biên tập chỉn chu đọc vừa thích vừa vui ^^

Với mình thì em này đọc rất ưng vì bạn sẽ biết thêm được nhiều loài cây nè, có hình bên cạnh để ngắm nữa, rồi còn hiểu thêm được những đặc tính đặc trưng của cây cối. Nhiều cái siêu thú vị luôn. Giả bộ tận dụng được hết những điều hay ho này vào cuộc sống thường nhật thì có thể cải thiện chất lượng cuộc sống nè, cả đời sống tinh thần lẫn ngăn chặn thiên tai nữa.

Và vì em này viết về nhiều loài cây và rất mỏng, nên không đi về chi tiết cụ thể từng loại cây hay quá sâu về cách áp dụng. Với mình thì vậy cũng hay vì đọc nhẹ nhàng thảnh thơi vui vẻ, cũng không bị những thuật ngữ về cây làm cho nhàm chán 😉 Nhưng lại chưa đủ độ sâu để ấn tượng hơn với nội dung nè.

[Kristen Vlahiotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read part of this book under a gentle elder redwood (2200 years old!!) and I fell in love with the little teachings. A great reminder that nature is the best teacher and our trees, especially our elder trees, have endless wisdom to share. There is a reason why the Ani'-Yun'wiya people call trees standing people, trees are full of lessons if you take the time to quietly listen

[Tuyet Lan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nói thật là mình mua cuốn sách này phần nhiều vì thiết kế và minh họa :)
Sách khổ nhỏ (13x19cm), 128 trang thôi với 1 nửa là các trang minh họa. Rất thích hợp cho trẻ em đọc hoặc những người như mình - xem tranh là chính ^_^

Mục đích của tác giả là truyền tải những bài học về cách sống thông qua mô tả đặc tính các loài cây: tận dụng thế mạnh của mình, biết nghỉ ngơi đúng lúc, nhắm thẳng đến mục tiêu, tiết kiệm nguồn lực, ứng phó linh hoạt, hợp tác và sẻ chia.... Mỗi "bài học rút ra" từ đặc tính của cây ngắn gọn trong khoảng 150 từ. Mình không ấn tượng lắm về cách truyền tải này- phần vì nhiều nội dung rất giống với cuốn "Đời sống bí ẩn của cây" mình đã đọc, phần vì có đôi chỗ liên hệ đặc tính hơi gượng ép. Nhưng thỉnh thoảng sách cũng đem lại vài kiến thức mới cho mình. Như đã nói ở trên, nếu là bạn đọc trẻ thì có lẽ sẽ học được nhiều hơn.

Có một lưu ý với bạn muốn mua cuốn sách này dành tặng trẻ nhỏ trong nhà, thì cần chuẩn bị thêm cả tranh thực tế/ chú giải bổ sung. Vì các loài thực vật đề cập trong sách chủ yếu là cây ôn đới (sồi, vân sam, anh đào...) - những loài mà trẻ em Việt Nam chưa bao giờ hoặc hiếm khi trông thấy.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem arrived in the mail on a dark day. The sender is still a mystery but I am indebted to their thoughtfulness in sending this gift.

The book shares a single page of verbiage about a tree species and analogizes it strengths to human characteristics. It’s simple by design. To reviewers who found it trite, or thought it should be more descriptive of the trees and/or the life lesson, I respectfully disagree. It’s brevity allows room for personal meditation and if knowledge about a particular tree sparks interest there are many avenues for research.

Author Liz Marvin used judicious writing to achieve these gems to inspire. And the illustrations of Annie Davidson, detailed in simplicity, partner to create a beautiful book.

I thank these creative minds and the person who chose to send How to Be More Tree to me. It proved a lift to a sad spirit and also sent me to learn more about the African Acacia and the Kauri trees.

Any book that is uplifting and inspires thought is it’s own gift to the reader.

[Leylak Dalı · Rating 3 out of 5]

Güzel çizimleri ile ağaç sevenler için minicik ama sevimli bir kitap...

[Alyssa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wholesome. I love the message and the illustrations are beautiful! Also learned a lot about trees from reading this.

[David Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing little book! The author takes some fifty-nine trees from around the world, discusses their unique properties, then gives a possible application to the reader's life. This entry for the sugar maple can serve as an example: "We've all felt like a small sapling in a big forest at some point. So when you start to get a bit more established, with a little patch of sunlight to call your own, don't forget the little guys coming up behind. Woodland trees like the sugar maple use their underground networks to pump sugars to the younger generation who might be struggling in the shade. So look around. Does anyone in your forest need a bit of help to get them growing?" Some of the arboreal facts are quite fascinating: Older yew trees cannot be precisely dated, as they are hollow, without rings. When elm trees are under attack from caterpillars, they release pheromones to attract parasitic wasps, which lay their eggs inside the caterpillars, "neutralizing the threat." The American beech has developed a hard smooth bark to discourage parasitic plants from growing on them. The London plane tree's bark, on the other hand, peels easily, which means the plant can shed urban soot. When the African acacia is visited by an animal wanting to snack on its leaves, it releases potentially poisonous tannins in the leaves. The neem tree of India and Pakistan provides shade, edible leaves, powerful chemicals that repel insects, and a bee-favorite nectar. -- Each one page entry has a life lesson at the top: "Be authentic." "Look on the bright side." "Figure out what's really bothering you." And so on. The text is greatly enhanced by its lovely artwork: a view of the tree (sometimes with fauna), a leaf, and occasionally the fruit or nuts. (Annie Davidson is the illustrator...and she deserves much credit for the loveliness and winsomeness of the volume.) Recommended!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read! Trees are pretty cool. (:

[Melissa Everly-kosek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book

This book provides two lessons. Lesson one is interesting facts about a particular type of tree. The author then takes those facts and applies them to a life lesson, showing how all things are connected.

[Karel Baloun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I’ve missed out on the unique attributes of so many kinds of trees… I’ve read of them, but I’ve never noticed, or seen them, and the truly beautiful illustrations make them feel like they come alive. The illustrations feel more true to the nature of the tree than a random internet search would.

Marvin chose to humbly keep her name off of the cover, or the spine, and instead feature the illustrator in those places. Truly Annie Davidson‘s images make this book.

Yet Marvin’s wisdom is genuine and astute.

A pleasure of a quick read, and something a visitor to any shared space would enjoy glancing at and flipping pages. In index at the end makes it easy to find your favorites.

[Matthew Lorincz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this slowly throughout the day taking in each lesson as I migrated around campus during my various breaks. The book is a fantastic read and came into my life at the perfect time. The lessons I’ve now learned from the trees are ones I wish to pass onto my class and taking inspiration from olive trees I plan on gifting the book to someone I believe can gather as much enjoyment from it as I did.

[Cailin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect way to start the new year 🥰
This is such a beautiful little book. It contains heartwarming advice and life lessons as well as information about over 50 different types of trees. It is a perfect blend of love and learning. Also, the artwork for each tree is absolutely stunning. I was honestly kind of sad when I finished it because I didn’t want it to end. This is the perfect little pick me up that I will definitely return to whenever I need cheering up. 🌳❤️🌳

[Matt Norden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read one page if this book every morning to start my day for the past two months, and it genuinely had such a positive impact on my outlook. I treated each page as a daily lesson and tried to focus on it throughout the day. The illustrations were beautiful too!

For anyone who struggles with anxiety or depression, this book has so many simple reminders that can help reframe the situations you find yourself in.

[Serena Nottingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautifully illustrated with simple and understandable truths. We are so in need of rest, quiet, love, and nutrients. God, the creator, truly was brilliant in the way He created every object on earth. It somehow always tells us something about Him and us. Also, what a cool way to learn about trees and what they do!

[Jennifer Pucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork!

[Lam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dễ thương

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift. Quick stories paralleling different types of trees to dealing with life as a human.

[Hughie Headley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book I got for Christmas

[Octoberbear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book with a lot to give. (My pre-nap meditation companion.)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable book, easy read, and makes me connect more with all the wonders of Earth's trees. I loved the wisdom from each tree - I'm definitely going to write some in my journal.

However, one error I noticed was the page on the tallest tree, Hyperion. The page talks about the Giant Sequoia and how it "can grow as tall as a skyscraper" and that Hyperion "stands at 379 feet" tall. Apparently, they didn't research well because Hyperion and the tallest trees on Earth are not the Giant Sequoia, but the Coast Redwoods. The widest tree would be the Giant Sequoia.

According to Britannica, "the largest giant sequoia specimen is the General Sherman tree... (which) measures 31 metres (101.5 feet) in circumference at its base, is 83 metres (272.4 feet) tall, and has a total estimated weight of 6,167 tons." So the Giant Sequoia is not the tallest, but it is the biggest clin circumference.

On the National Park Service website, it describes how these two trees are related but not the same: "Redwoods are closely related to the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) that grows at higher elevations in California’s Sierra Nevada. Both are members of the cypress family (Cupressaceae). While the giant sequoia is not as tall, it is even longer-lived (over 3000 years) and more massive than the redwood, some trees boasting a 40-foot-diameter girth."

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this little gift book from a dear friend. It’s a sweet book, with facts about different trees and simple life lessons. I wouldn’t say the lessons are super profound but the book makes my heart happy. I especially enjoyed learning simple facts about trees and nature, and the artwork is lovely. My son now works for a tree service company so I also enjoyed sharing facts with him!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and fascinating book. People underestimate how much nature truly impacts us and all it is capable of. This book has simplified many things about trees and the info is astounding.

"When times are tough, take a break ~ Dahurian larch
Feeling tired and overwhelmed changes how we see the world. It can make us think a simple shadow is a monster under the bed. The cure? Rest. And being kind to yourself. Take a leaf from the Dahurian larch's...er, leaves. This survival expert grows in the most northerly latitudes. It's learned how to get through the long harsh Siberian winters by dropping it's needles and laying dormant. "

[Nhung Vũ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little healing book is worth reading on the weekend. Sipping a cup of tea or cold drink (whatever you like) and spending time in the tree world is my recommendation. It's a kind of small notebook that you can read everywhere.

Every tree has a story behind it. Even though they can't talk, they can send you the unspoken message. And you can learn a lot from them. My favorite tree is ginkgo. And you can discover yours.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was leaning toward 1 star, because it was mostly a waste of time. But then I started thinking "well, there are a lot of trees in here at least, let's make it two." But then they said a Sycamore had helicopter seeds, and I was like "back to one!" But it turns out the British call something in Acer a Sycamore, so, fine, I won't remove the point.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet little book for plant-lovers to have on the coffee table. There were some lovely reminders of how life's greatest challenges can have a silver lining, and to appreciate every aspect of the journey for the way it shapes you. How you grow is up to you!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, insightful little book with gorgeous illustrations and multiple "a has" to offer. Loved having it in the rotation this week during morning reflection time. Off now to be like a cottonwood...or sugar maple...or... :-)

[Jonathan Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inasmuch as this book is a series of lovely illustrations of and fun facts about trees, it is an extremely pleasant read. Beyond that, it's a heap of vague platitudes that didn't really do anything for me personally.

[Büşra Yıldırım · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positive vibes🌺🌺💚

[Chr*s Browning]

They make these books entirely so that moms have something to give you at birthdays, christmases, and graduations.

[Jeanne Fellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful wisdom.