July 2010 Entry #2 Hannah and the Talking Tree

Book: Hannah and the Talking Tree
Author: Elke Weiss
Trailer Creator: Elke Weiss



Blurb
Giving a child the possibility to create a bond with nature through pictures and words, as well as educating them about our environmental problems will have positive effects on their overall perception of the environment, their efforts to save it, and will make them want to go out and experience it.

Our children are the first generation to be raised without meaningful contact with the natural world, Richard Louv writes in his best-seller Last Child in the Woods. Nature is important for a childs physical and emotional development. A growing body of evidence proves the linking of the lack of nature in childrens lives and the rise in obesity, attention disorders and depression. Nature holds many lessons and adventures. Hannah helps nature and animals to survive using her gift of listening, her innocent curiosity, and her great love for all things alive. On her journey, she makes many friends and overcomes her own fears. In a series of books Hannah explores topics like the importance of water, trees and healthy air. In Hannah and the Talking Tree Hannah saves a lonely tree, initiates new planting of trees, and finds a friend for life.

"Hannah and the Talking Tree" is a touching tale, that is written in a way to bring a heart felt lesson for children, teaching them to listen very carefully to the sounds around them. I would highly recommend this book for children to learn about the importance of caring for the natural world around them. MARK FRASER, PBS, Producer Nature Walks'