Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves

In a unique melding of science and poetry, a collection of haiku extols the wonder of trees—and explores the vital roles they play on our living planet.

perched on a branch,
the crow's nest amid green sails
a place for daydreams

From the giant tree ferns of the forests primeval to the hardy sycamores of today’s urban forests, experience the essence of trees through poems that engage with every season and stage of the life cycle, from seed to photosynthesis. A broad exploration of a majestic subject, this collection of haiku touches on such topics as the importance of trees to other living creatures and the communication of trees with one another through a complex network of roots. Paired with Angela Mckay’s bold, bright, beautifully patterned artwork, Sally M. Walker’s third collection, a companion to Earth Verse and Out of This World, encourages respect and care for our arboreal neighbors. Back matter includes a time line, an author’s note, a glossary, and a select bibliography for curious readers.

Sally M. Walker is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including the companion books Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up, illustrated by William Grill, and Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku, illustrated by Matthew Trueman. She is also the author of Underground Fire: Hope, Sacrifice, and Courage in the Cherry Mine Disaster; Sinking the Sultana: A Civil War Story of Imprisonment, Greed, and a Doomed Journey Home; Boundaries: How the Mason-Dixon Line Settled a Family Feud and Divided a Nation; and Champion: The Comeback Tale of the American Chestnut Tree, an Orbis Pictus Honor Book. Sally M. Walker lives in Illinois.

Angela Mckay is an illustrator and textile designer. She draws her inspiration from many places, including the natural world, overseas travel adventures, museums, vintage books, and films. She works primarily in gouache and watercolor. Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves is her picture book debut. Angela Mckay lives in Perth, Australia.