A Forest of Stories: Magical Tree Tales from Around the World

by Singh, Rina; Cann, Helen

• ISBN13: 9781841489636
• ISBN10: 1841489638
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-08-01
• Publisher: Barefoot Books

Summary

Trees of all kinds grace our world, and there are so many things they can be. Trees are homes for insects, birds and animals; shady refuges from the summer sun; leafy hiding places. Their fruit feeds us; their leaves and branches sing to us; their wood warms and houses us. And, of course, we depend on trees for our very lives, for what they breathe out, we breathe in. So the presence of trees is essential to our existence. But have you ever considered a tree to be a lifelong friend? Or wondered if trees could think, remember or even speak, if you listened hard enough? At a time when we are cutting down more and more forests for our own commercial gain, it is vital for us to question our assumptions about trees and remember that they are our fellow beings. For this reason, storyteller Rina Singh has created a unique collection of folktales which asks us to rethink our relationship with trees and challenges us to look at them in new ways. From the story of the palm tree that dances in a Nigerian marketplace to the fig tree that can cure blindness, these powerful stories help us to acknowledge our close connection with trees -- encouraging us to develop a healthier, more conservationist approach to the natural world. Illustrated in radiant hues by artist Helen Cann, and including notes about the characteristics of each species, this vibrant collection will encourage children to appreciate the many gifts that trees can offer, and help them translate that appreciation into the desire to protect the many magnificent trees that share our planet. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Rina Singh was born in India and moved to Canada in 1980, where she earned a Master's Degree in creative writing as well as her teaching degree. Rina teaches visual arts, drama and creative movement to elementary school students. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and two children, Amrita and Angad Helen Cann has worked as an artist since 1992, when she graduated from the School of Art, University of Wales

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 5
The Cypress Tree: Chinese	p. 6
The Kapok Tree: Guatemalan	p. 12
The Chestnut Tree: Japanese	p. 20
The Cherry Blossom Tree: Indian	p. 28
The Palm Tree: Nigerian	p. 36
The Fig Tree: Jewish	p. 46
The Pomegranate Tree: Moroccan	p. 54
Sources	p. 64
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