WHY DO TREES FEATURE SO OFTEN IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS?

WHY DO TREES FEATURE SO OFTEN IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS?

Ruby Large (WHS)

Literature has a vital role in development from a very young age. Books shape the people we become as soon as we are able to read or listen to them, and stories can be a useful tool in teaching morals to young children. Many writers use the symbol of trees or forests as a subtle way of embedding life lessons in a more accessible and memorable approach. ‘They’re an exciting, sometimes menacing symbol of the unknown; a reminder of realms both physical and spiritual that remain unexplored’1 and this can either be interpreted as untouched and inviting or in a didactic sense as something to be wary of.

‘The Enchanted Wood’ series by Enid Blyton is an example of an author utilising the emblem of a tree to inspire younger generations to embrace the absurd and the exciting. In the stories, three children move away from their home to the countryside and find an enchanted tree at the top of which different magical lands pass. Although on the surface these books are simple tales about other-worldly characters and adventures that are experienced, they carry many morals throughout that are artfully hidden amongst the fairies and elves. Firstly, the book series encourages children to explore nature as a form of escapism and enjoy things that are fantastical that don’t always have to make sense. The stories are also based on moving away from their home, so it establishes that change is manageable and something new can be even better than what they already had. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the lands at the top of the tree are everchanging and do not stay for long however the tree is constant, showing that although life can be turbulent it is important to stay grounded.

A contrasting piece of children’s literature that uses the motif of trees and forests is ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. This is a tale dating back to 1697 and first written by Charles Perrault. However, there have been many adaptations, arguably the most famous being by the Brothers Grimm in the 1800s. This story features a young girl walking through the woods to visit her grandmother when she meets a wolf who tricks her into going off her trail against her instructions, dresses up as her grandmother and eats her. There is a clear message in this story – ‘don’t talk to strangers’ – and the intimidating and threatening setting of the woods is fitting as it warns children of the dangers of the unknown. It also serves to teach the importance of listening to advice given to them and not to be influenced by others as although they may seem helpful, they should not be trusted. In the words of Friedrich Froebel: “to climb a tree is for a child to discover a new world”. I think that this perfectly answers my question of why trees feature so often in children’s books – exploration and escapism are fundamental for children’s development and the motif of trees symbolises that as well as providing a necessary and healthy slight wariness of the unknown that they will take forward into adulthood.

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ articles/41RbVj62ZxV9LcysSlHPvg3/sixmagical-forests-we-love-from-children-s-books [2] Enchanted Wood image https://www.google.com/ url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon. co.uk%2FEnchanted-Wood-Gift-Magic-Faraw ay%2Fdp%2F1405296127&psig=AOvVaw1m Dt-xWJiHKKX9fVBsHtgp&ust=159594621872 0000&sou [3] Little Red Riding Hood image https://www.google.com/ url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcollections. artsmia.org%2Fart%2F9098%2Flittlered-riding-hood-arthurrackham&psig=AOvVaw0PR1QK2ltgmbRRlLP0UmX&ust=1593619995136000& source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCOjAh6H3qeoCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAU