October 27, 2024

Quote of the Week

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." - Dolly Parton

The Man Who Planted A Forest

What is it about trees that resonate so deeply with us?

Is it their enduring presence despite the chaos going on around them?

Their ability to bring life where once there was only soil?

That our very survival is intricately linked to nature?

Here's an inspiring story of an Indonesian man called Saiman. He single-handedly planted over 11,000 Banyan and Ficus trees over 250 hectares of mountainside around his village - an area that had lost many trees due to wildfires. Despite being ridiculed by others, he believed the trees’ deep roots would help improve the local water supply by drawing up water from far down in the earth.

His work, which has so far taken over 25 years, has brought dried-out springs back to life, providing water for local homes. The lack of rain in the area once limited farmers to growing one crop a year, but Saiman’s reforestation work has now raised the water table enough for farmers to successfully grow two to three crops a year. [see video]

Reading Corner

Title: Tree Full of Wonder
By: Anna Smithers
Ages: 3-8

"A beautiful book about trees, written with delicate elegance and so much sensitivity for the vital role nature plays in our lives. Powerful words blend with gorgeous illustrations, offering a story full of mindfulness and emotion.

My daughter fell in love with this book, enjoying every bit. It helped her understand more about nature and why we need to protect trees. We read the book over and over again, and I was glad that she asked so many questions. Early education is key to raising kids who fight for a greener planet, who understand the unbreakable bond between people and trees, seeking nature to center themselves.

If there is a book that will help young readers get closer to the great outdoors, this is it. I think stories like this one also contribute to a healthy mindset for the future, not to mention it has a great educational value. The author has included some of the most common trees, teaching kids how to recognize them. Moreover, she has added a lot of interesting facts, making it easy for both parents and teachers to use her story as a teaching resource.

Reading this book to my daughter, I noticed the beautiful lines, and how the author’s love for nature shined throughout the story. She places an emphasis on the connection with nature, the individuality of each season, and how getting in touch with nature can help us feel calmer and more relaxed.

Children can learn about trees and how they produce oxygen. At the same time, they are taught to relate to the breathing process, and discover for themselves the benefits it offers. Climate awareness is explored, and I liked how the author said it is “not too late to fix it”. I agree, it all depends on the generation we are raising now.

She also speaks of how trees offer us nuts, fruits, and wood; how we can have fun with trees and spot the wildlife living around them. Kids can learn how long trees live and even discover interesting stories about them, stories that happened years ago. At the end of the book, there are some cool worksheets, which I am sure kids will love.

As a parent, I am always on the lookout for books that can help me teach my daughter about the world. I absolutely loved this book, not only because I was able to bring her closer to nature and trees, but also because beautiful stories allow us, parents, to create a stronger bond with our children. Highly recommended!" - Amazon Reviewer

Be the Change

Wouldn’t it be great if every family decided to plant a tree of their own?! Whether it’s in their own garden, on their school grounds, in a public space, or even by the side of the road, if we all planted just one tree in our lifetime, imagine how our environment would change. Here are some more fun ideas and inspiration to get kids into nature.