• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

A wonder-filled picture book inspired by the science of trees.

With whimsical art and gentle text, Do Trees Have Mothers? translates scientific knowledge about the kinship structures of the forest into a beautiful and affirming story about how trees nurture the young. Discover all the ways in which a mother tree protects and nourishes the baby trees of the forest understory, and show young children what it means to care for a community, and for our environment and the earth.

Did you know that mother trees help seedlings survive by transferring carbon and nitrogen through the mycorrhizal network? They can even warn baby trees when there are troublesome bugs about! Drawing from scientific research, Do Trees Have Mothers? is The Hidden Life of Trees (Greystone, 2016) and Finding the Mother Tree (Penguin Random House, 2021) for the preschool set.

The perfect book for budding nature lovers, this book introduces the forest’s complex and fascinating wonders in a friendly and age-appropriate way.

Charles Bongers is the creative director and founder of Charle Bongers + Co. A world-class sailor, mountain climber and tree advocate, Bongers is passionate about nature and the outdoors. He serves as creative advisor to Wild Entrust/Coaching Conservation, a wildlife conservation trust in Southern Africa dedicated to supporting the long-term viability of threatened wildlife populations and their critical habitats, and to Woodfield True Nature Campus, a charity dedicated to supporting families experiencing chronic illness. Originally born in Cape Town, South Africa, he now lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Charles Bongers' profile page

• Winner, Moonbeam Children's Book Award Bronze Medal in the Environmental Issues category

“What better way to teach us how to care for trees than to learn that they, too, have mothers? I love this book.”

Scot Ritchie, author of <i>Lilliana and the Frogs</i>

“Do Trees Have Mothers? beautifully explains how the forest is one big, interconnected family. The vibrant and inviting illustrations captivate young audiences as they learn about the magic of trees.”

Kathy Sager, early childhood educator, author of <i>Mother Reindeer’s Journey to the Sun</i>

“This book will help a child to build a lifelong connection to nature by learning about the secret and tender life of trees and the magical web of life that surrounds and supports us.”

Tara Zupancic, MPH, Public Health Scientist

“The art invites you in and the story fills your heart. A testament to our deep connection with nature, you will never look at the forest the same way again!”

Robert (Lucky) Budd, co-author of the First West Coast Book series

“A refreshing exploration of how plants ‘talk’ to one another that is useful in part because of its simplicity and visual appeal. The author’s offbeat, digital art wavers between the cartoonish and the near psychedelic.”

<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>

“A delightfully warm and informative book about the power of trees, written in a way any child can understand.”

Adrian Raeside, author of <i>The Rainbow Bridge</i>

“We are taught that trees are givers of life. The cedar tree is only one of the many trees of this world. For us it provides clothing, baskets, and ornaments for our many ceremonies. Within this amazing book are many examples of the importance that all trees have for us. We must honour, protect and allow trees to live forever.”

Joseph Dandurand, author of <i>The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets</i>

“Combining tree facts with fun illustrations and cute characters, Do Trees Have Mothers? shows young children the importance of forest conservation by demonstrating the interconnectedness of forest species.”

Judy Hilgemann, author of <i>The Great Grizzlies Go Home</i>

“If you are looking for a book that helps children develop a lifelong connection to nature, Do Trees Have Mothers? by Charles Bongers is a good place to start. A delightfully curious squirrel named “Nuts” teaches us how some trees nurture and mother their offspring in similar ways animals care for their babies. The illustrations, rendered in a soothing colour pallet with rhythmic lines, are lively and witty. The approachable and whimsical text is based on the latest research on the complex and fascinating ways in which trees are connected as a community. This delightful book will help to nurture future generations of tree planters and tree huggers!”

Lori Weidenhammer, author of <i>Victory Garden for Bees</i>