Author(s): Jennifer Cullen (Illustrator)

Children

Listening to Tree is an artist's book, a picture book for children and a teaching resource that communicates ecological information. The book comprises 17 monochrome watercolour and charcoal illustrations, and 20 pages of text. (409 words -25 words average per page). The story is narrated in the first person, with the narrator informing the reader/listener about their friend Tree (a non-specific tree). Relaxing beside Tree, they learn of many ecosystem processes trees perform and of the ecosystem of trees (their interconnectedness with other species, including people). The overarching message is that humans and trees are co-dependent and that we should care for trees. The story ends with an engaging question and call to action - 'what trees might you plant'? Listening to Tree represents and aims to evoke positive emotions and physical experiences that can be derived from trees. Its emotive register potentially entices readers to engage with trees and sets them up to experience their interactions with trees as a positive emotional encounter enriched by a sense of connection. The rich vocabulary is designed to extend ideas and thinking; featuring alliteration, assonance and prose. The text pages have coloured backgrounds, to complement the monochrome illustrations. The lettering style is bespoke, with shadows and irregular sized letters for Earth Child and a more uniform lettering style for Tree; enhancing the dialogue between them, for the reader's enjoyment.The illustrations often make reference to the human body; and invite visual exploration, immersion and thinking. They point readers in the direction of experimenting with their own personal interpretations and image making. There are 3 free inclusions with Listening to Tree: 1. Downloadable 20 page booklet (PDF, available via email) containing lessons, activities and e-resources intended for further investigation of the ideas from the book. It is targeted at, but not limited to, teachers and parents of children ages 8-12 years of age. 2. Set of colouring in pages, (PDF) taken from the illustrations in the book. 3. Packet of seeds, of iconic Tasmanian trees. (A minimum of 25 - 100 seeds, depending on chosen species of the 5 on offer.)