And the Trees Talked Back Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

Can you imagine a community composed of talking trees with different personalities and opposing opinions about their relation with humans? Welcome to the mystical world in And the Trees Talked Back written and illustrated by Frederick J. Burns. Enter to win a signed copy!

About the Book:

Book Title: And the Trees Talked Back by Frederick J. Burns
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 48 pages
Genre: Children's Book
Publisher: Frederick J. Burns
Release date: Nov 4, 2023
Tour dates: Nov 20 to Dec 15
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

Meet Amanda, an extraordinary child with a unique gift — she can talk to trees.

Living in a quaint village with a mystical forest, Amanda's life takes an enchanting turn when she seeks out her inquisitive cat, Daisy. As the sun sets and the moonlight casts its glow, the duo embark on a thrilling night-time adventure.

As Amanda encounters ancient trees, she uncovers a world she never knew existed, where wisdom and acceptance coexist with fear and hatred. Amidst the rustling leaves and haunting shadows, she confronts the duality of nature, discovering the true meaning of good and evil. Her bonds with nature deepen and she learns to navigate the world where choices shape destinies.

And The Trees Talked Back is a heartwarming tale of wonder, friendship, and self-discover that will captivate readers of all ages.

My Review:

And the Trees Talked Back is an enchanting fairy tale about kindness, acceptance of differences, and love for nature. During her search for her missing cat in the forest near her new home, Amanda stumbles upon not one but tons of trees with faces and the magical power to speak with her. Each tree has a unique name and voice. Some are curious, some are cautious, some are smart and some are stubborn. They disagree about whether humans can be trusted and whether they should engage in a conversation with Amanda at all. While most of the trees are polite and friendly, one remains raged and ruthless. Will Amanda keep her cat safe from the evil tree?

Talking trees are not uncommon in children's fantasy, but this story brings to life a forest filled with talking trees reflective of the human society, diverse and complex. Through Amanda's conversations and interactions with the trees, young readers learn important life lessons regarding respect for individuality, reciprocity in friendship, and reaching mutual understanding through communication. They are also warned about the dangerous consequences of hatred and intolerance. The book's illustrations are realistic and nuanced, making it easy to differentiate among the tree characters. Given its length and choice of vocabulary, the text is most suitable for those who are ready to start early chapter books.

Thoughtfully written, this is a children's book that promotes kindness, empathy, and protection of nature.

Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N
Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Burns, always an artist on the inside, breaks through his trial attorney exterior at age 63, to write and illustrate his first children’s book, AND THE TREES TALKED BACK. Three years in the making, Burns strives to convey a world where commonalities are more important than differences, where empathy is more important than distain and where making friends is more important than creating enemies. With no formal art training, Burns enjoys working in and learning new mediums and styles. His art has won awards in juried competitions, been displayed on billboards, in government offices, the D’Amour Museum of Fine Art, and now graces the cover of Dave Brinnel's second CD, ALONE. His detailed illustrations of trees using pen and ink with washes of watercolor have been compared to the fantastical illustrations of Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak. Burns lives in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts with his wife, Heather and two dogs, where he is developing ideas for his next book.

Connect with author: Website | Instagram | Goodreads

One lucky reader will win a signed copy of And the Trees Talked Back!

Giveaway ends 12/22. Open to USA only. Please submit your entries below. Good luck!

AND THE TREES TALKED BACK by Frederick J. Burns Book Tour Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.