5 books about trees and plants

Immerse yourself in the natural world with these beautiful stories and guides.

Around the World in 80 Trees by Ben Lerwill and Kaja Kajfež (Welbeck)

This is a celebration of trees from all around the world. Containing all sorts of information, such as details of the life cycle of trees; how they “talk” to each other; and trees with ancient legends, it also features a fold-out page showing the connections between 80 trees.

The Map of Leaves by Yarrow Townsend (Chicken House)

In this exciting adventure set in a world in which plants can talk, Orla embarks on a journey armed only with her mother’s book of plants and remedies. Aboard a riverboat, she meets stowaways Idris and Ariana, and soon the trio are working together to find a cure for the mysterious sickness that has taken over their town.

I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast by Michael Holland and Philip Giordano (Flying Eye Books)

Plants from all over the world are the stars of this book. It’s a brilliant scientific guide to plant life, including the parts of a plant and how we use them in everyday life. You’ll also find fun things to try, like growing a plant maze and mixing your own slime.

The Secret Wild by Alex Evelyn (Walker Books)

Fern has spent her life in the rainforest. When she has to leave her home for London she feels uprooted. Things get better when she makes a new plant friend – but then strange things begin happening, such as giant lily pads appearing in the Thames. Can Fern solve this strange botanical mystery?

The Girl Who Talked to Trees by Natasha Farrant. Illustrated by Lydia Corry (Head of Zeus)

In this illustrated book of interlinked stories, Olive tumbles into the magic world of a 400-year-old oak tree. Soon she finds herself talking with, listening to and learning from different trees throughout time and around the world. This is an enchanting book that shows exactly why trees are so important.