Trees and Forests in the Classroom:
A Climate Literacy Thematic Teaching Package
Trees are powerful entry points for teaching systems thinking, climate science, and reciprocal ecological relationships. For educators, stories about forests provide rich opportunities to integrate literacy with science, social studies, and social-emotional learning while helping students develop a more personal connection with nature. Using high-quality children’s literature allows complex environmental concepts to become accessible, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate.
This curated list is designed as a thematic teaching package that educators can use to supplement classroom lessons, interdisciplinary projects, read-alouds, and inquiry-based activities. The collection includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic storytelling. Together, these titles support climate literacy, critical thinking, and student engagement while offering flexible entry points for discussion, writing, art, and hands-on learning.
Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest (2015)
By Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Ages: 4–7
Read the full review of Luna & Me on Climate Lit
This picturebook tells the true story of Butterfly, a girl who lives for two years in a redwood tree named Luna, to save it from being cut down; represents the possibility of reciprocal relationships with nature going beyond trees as only providers to strongly show trees as friends bringing joy.
Resources: Luna and Me — Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (author site)
Nell Plants a Tree (2023)
By Anne Wynter, Illustrated by Daniel Miyares
Ages: 4–7; 8–13
Read the full review of Nell Plants a Tree on Climate Lit
This beautifully illustrated story traces how a single tree grows alongside a family across generations. It emphasizes reforestation, patience, and the long-term environmental benefits of caring for trees.
Resources: Read Aloud: Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter | Stories with Star
Hello, Tree (2021)
By Ana Crespo, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 4–7
Read the full review of Hello, Tree on Climate Lit
Hello, Tree (2001) is an incredible and beautiful picturebook story written by Ana Crespo. Hello,Tree’s story is told from the point of view of the tree. The tree’s simple, childlike voice served the story perfectly — helping the reader to truly feel compassion for nature. The moment when all the people and animals are fleeing the wildfire, but the tree has to wait, unable to go anywhere, was particularly moving. The sparse text and gorgeous illustrations combine to pack an emotional punch and to show just how important our connection to nature truly is connected.
The story begins with interconnectedness between a baby girl and a young tree who grow up together, sharing a close bond. Set in a natural environment, their peaceful life is disrupted by a wildfire that separates them. The story explores themes of growth, change, and reunion as both the girl and the tree face transformation and eventually reconnect. Entry created by Staretta (Star) Taylor-Cooper
Resources: Ana Crespo Presents HELLO, TREE on Vimeo
Call Me Tree Llámame Árbol (2014)
By Maya Christina Gonzalez (Author & Illustrator)
Ages: 4–7
This bilingual picturebook celebrates the deep connections between humans and trees by alternating between Spanish and English. Through rhythmic text and expressive illustrations, the book emphasizes shared life processes and interconnectedness, helping young readers see themselves as part of Earth’s living systems.
Resources: Call Me Tree | Llámame Árbol | BILINGUAL BOOKS FOR KIDS
Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya (2010)
By Donna Jo Napoli, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages: 4–7; 8–13
Mama Miti tells the true story of Nobel Peace Prize Wangari Maathai’s efforts to plant trees in Kenya to restore those removed by clear cutting. There are several picturebooks that tell this story. This version focuses strongly on the role the women of Kenya played and the many benefits gained by planting a variety of trees.
Resources: Mama Miti || Read Aloud
The Great Kapok Tree (2000)
By Lynne Cherry
Ages: 4–7
In this rainforest classic, animals gather to convince a woodcutter not to cut down their shared home. Each voice explains how the kapok tree supports biodiversity and climate balance, offering a powerful lesson in interdependence and conservation.
Resources: The Great Kapok Tree | Lynne Cherry | Sharing the planet | Read aloud
The Trees (2023)
By Victor Steffensen, Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen
Ages: 4–7
Readers take a walk through an Australian forest with the main character, Uncle Kuu, to learn more about the important relationship between trees, land, and community nurtured over thousands of years by the Aboriginal First Nations People.
Resources: The Trees – Storytime
The Family Tree (2024)
By Staci Lola Drouillard, Illustrated by Kate Gardiner
Ages: 4–7
Based on the author’s own experiences, this picturebook tells the story of the close relationship between a spruce tree and the family that loves it, leading the family to take the tree with them when they move.
Resources: Author Staci Lola Drouillard
The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story (2009)
By Leah Marie Dorion
Ages: 4–7
This bilingual picture book, written in both English and Michif-Cree, offers a retelling of a traditional Métis story through the memories of a boy visiting “The Great Giving Tree” with his family. Throughout the story, the boy begins to understand the many ways this tree has supported the Métis community across generations, and the importance of not only taking what the tree has to give, but also giving back.
Resources: “The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story,” Written and Illustrated by Leah Dorion
Log Life (A Tiny Habitats Book) (2024)
By Amy Heron
Ages: 4–7
This picturebook tells the story of a tree becoming a nurse log and providing nutrients and space for new ecosystems to grow. The story highlights relationships between trees and other forest organisms.
Resources: Log Life read aloud with Amy Hevron | Read & Learn with Simon Kids
The Gentle Genius of Trees (2023)
By Philip Bunting
Ages: 4–7
Blending humor with science, this book introduces photosynthesis, respiration, and underground tree communication networks. It makes complex ecological ideas approachable and fun for young audiences.
Resources: Anytime Story with Miss Lisa-The Gentle Genius of Trees-5/15/2023
The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom (2021)
By Lita Judge
Ages: 4–7; 8–13
This collection of poems imagines what trees might say about how they live, grow, and communicate throughout the year. Each poem is paired with information on the role of trees in creating a healthy ecosystem including details around mycorrhizal networks.
Listen to the Language of the Trees (2022)
By Tera Kelley, Illustrated by Marie Hermansson
Ages: 4–7; 8-13
Read a full review of Listen to the Language of the Trees on Climate Lit
Following a young seedling’s journey, this story introduces underground communication networks and forest cooperation. Backmatter provides deeper scientific context for curious readers.
Resources: BES Nominee 2024: Listen to the Language of the Trees
The Hidden Life of Trees: A Graphic Novel Adaptation (2024)
By Peter Wohlleben & Fred Bernard, Illustrated by Benjamin Flao
Ages: 8–13; 14+
This is the young reader’s edition of Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees. While heavy on scientific language, it also includes facts, quizzes, and hands-on activities about many different characteristics of trees focusing on how trees communicate within a forest. The content goes into greater detail than other similar books such as Judge’s The Wisdom of Trees and Kelley’s Listen to the Language of the Trees.
Resources: TeachingBooks | Can You Hear the Trees Talking?: Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest
Wishtree (2017)
By Katherine Applegate
Ages: 4–7; 8–13
Read the full review of Wishtree on Climate Lit.
Wishtree is told from the perspective of Red, an old oak tree who listens to the wishes people tie to her branches. When a new family in the neighborhood faces prejudice, Red works to bring the community together. This story highlights relationships between human and non-human beings focusing on the agency and wisdom of trees.
Resources: Wishtree Novel Study: Lesson Plans, Resources, & Activities
Big Tree (2023)
By Brian Selznick
Ages: 8–13; 14+
Read the full review of Big Tree on Climate Lit.
Set right before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, Big Tree is told from the perspective of Merwin and Louise, two sycamore seeds, traveling in search of a place to put down roots. This story highlights interconnectedness and the important role of trees in the ecosystem.
Teacher Resource Highlights: Multimedia & Interactive Extensions
These supplemental resources pair with the book list to support inquiry-based learning, multimedia instruction, and cross-curricular connections. Teachers can use them to reinforce key concepts such as forest communication, biodiversity, conservation, and climate action.
Videos & Documentaries
Suzanne Simard: How trees talk to each other | TED Talk
In this 18-minute TED Talk, Dr. Suzanne Simard describes her experiments over 30 years in Canadian forests that helped better understand the complex social networks of forests and their underground microryzomal communications.
How Trees Secretly Talk to Each Other in the Forest | National Geographic
This short (3:41 minute) video by National Geographic goes through the basics of trees’ communication networks using kid-friendly language and images.
Intelligent Trees (Documentary)
Available on YouTube and multiple streaming platforms
This 45-minute documentary features research findings on tree communication from Peter Wohlleben, Suzanne Simard, and Teresa Ryan Smhayetsk.
Interactive Digital Learning
Forest Kids – Apps on Google Play
This online interactive game is focused on forest ecosystems education in four biomes: boreal, tropical, temperate and arid forest regions around the world. It includes a variety of games meant to help players better understand the interconnectedness and importance of complex forest ecosystems.
Classroom Games & Hands-On Learning
Mighty Trees — Educational Card Game
Players compete for resources across multiple ecosystems to create the largest canopy in this educational board game. Includes online tutorials.
Art, Media, & Visual Literacy Resources
Honoring Trees – Honoring The Future
Honoring Trees is an online art exhibit that highlights the beauty and importance of trees through photography and other visual works. It encourages viewers to appreciate how trees support life and to consider their role in protecting forests and the environment. Includes an accompanying trivia hunt and educator guide.
Our Story – Blue Tree Project – Art Installation by Konstantin Dimopoulos
“The Blue Trees” art installation by Konstantin Dimopoulos temporarily transforms living trees with natural ultramarine pigment to draw attention to global deforestation and engage public dialogue about human’s relationship with nature.
This PBS video and two videos on the artist’s website give context for the project helping to lead students into conversations about the use of art as climate action.
Teachers can use these resources alongside the book collection to create lesson sequences, multimedia stations, inquiry rotations, or project-based learning units. Together, they support diverse learning styles and help students connect scientific concepts with storytelling, art, and real-world environmental action.
Bringing This Thematic Package Into Your Classroom
This collection is designed to be flexible and adaptable across grade levels and subject areas. Teachers can use these titles for interactive read-alouds, literature circles, science inquiry lessons, environmental justice and kinship discussions, and project-based learning. Pairing fiction with nonfiction texts allows students to build background knowledge while also exploring emotional connections to forests, climate change, and the more-than-human world around them.
Teachers can invite students to compare how different books portray biodiversity, tree communication, or the role of forests in nature, create journal entries, short stories, or poems from the perspective of local trees, design artwork about forest communities, or engage in service-learning projects such as schoolyard tree planting or habitat restoration. When used together as a thematic package, these stories help students move beyond isolated facts toward a deeper understanding of interconnected systems — empowering them to see themselves as thoughtful stewards of the natural world.
If you’d like to write your own entry on a book like the ones above, please visit the Get Involved page to learn more!
About the author: This thematic package was developed by Colleen Redmond, a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota, whose research focuses on children’s climate literacy, environmental education, and climate emotions. The collection reflects current scholarship on how storytelling can support systems thinking, interconnectedness between humans and nature, ecological awareness, and student engagement with climate issues.
Keywords: Trees, Forest Ecosystems, Climate Education, Environmental Justice, Sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Biodiversity, Indigenous Animism, Reforestation, Mycorrhizal Fungi, Conservation, Systems Thinking, Interconnectedness.