A mother and child are walking through the woods, where large, majestic trees shade the path and the forest teems with life. The child is small, in the “hows” and “whys” phase typical of the age when we become curious about the world around us.
Faced with the spectacle of nature during the walk, moved by the grandeur of the forest, he spontaneously asks his mother innocent questions about trees, about nature, and also about family and life in general:
Author and illustrator: Charles Berberian
Translator: Giulia Calandra Buonaura
Publisher: Franco Cosimo Panini, 2024
Format: 24.5 x 32.5 cm | Pages: 32, hardcover, color
EAN: 9788857020846 | Recommended reading age: 3 years and up
“Do trees get married?” “Do they have children?” “Do trees have to go to school too?”
To these questions, the mother always provides simple and reassuring answers, turning each response into a valuable life lesson.
The book, illustrated by Charles Berberian himself, alternates watercolor illustrations depicting lush nature with black-and-white ink drawings that encourage reflection between questions. The story unfolds through a dialogue based entirely on direct speech between the child and his mother, resembling a question-and-answer game structured around comic-book speech bubbles.
“In a forest, a tree
is never truly alone; it has all the
trees around it.”
“I understand, Mom,
the forest is a bit like
its family.”
Page after page, using simple and engaging language, it guides us to explore the world of trees and understand how essential protecting them is for our very existence. It recounts the profound bond between humans and the plant world. The story becomes a journey that brings both children and adults closer to nature, helping them discover its value and understand how, ultimately, it is very similar to us. Shared moments become a precious opportunity to explore together the wonderful world around us.
If you are a member of EARTH GARDENERS APS, you can purchase this book with a 5% discount at the “Messaggerie Sarde” bookshop in Sassari, located at Piazza Castello 11. If you do not yet have the 2026 membership card, you can pick it up at the bookshop when you visit!
Credits
Maria Beatrice Lupi is a naturalist and an expert in training, sustainable development planning, participatory methodologies, and European planning. She is currently engaged in dissemination and education for sustainability.
Translated by Maria Antonietta Sessa
