And the Trees Talked Back by Frederick J. Burns | Children's Book Review
A magical story about friendship, courage, and listening to the wisdom of nature, And the Trees Talked Back reminds young readers that even the quietest voices have something important to say.
Some children's books entertain, while others quietly encourage readers to see the world a little differently. And the Trees Talked Back by Frederick J. Burns does both, blending gentle fantasy with meaningful lessons about kindness, choices, and caring for the natural world.
Originally published during an iRead Book Tour, I recently revisited this story at the author's request. It remains every bit as enchanting as I remembered. Amanda's magical ability to communicate with trees opens the door to an adventure that encourages curiosity, empathy, and respect for nature-qualities that never go out of style.
Whether you're reading aloud to a young child or helping an independent reader discover stories with heart, this beautifully illustrated picture book offers an imaginative journey that's sure to spark conversation long after the final page.
About And the Trees Talked Back
And the Trees Talked Back By Frederick J Burns
Published by Independent Author on November 4, 2023
Genres: Family & Relationships / Friendship, Fiction, Children's
Formats: Hardcover
Pages: 48
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 searches for 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.
Amanda and the Talking Trees is a heartwarming tale of wonder, friendship, and self-discovery that will captivate readers of all ages.
Reader Resources
Explore ratings, reviews, and more:
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Children's Picture Book • Fantasy • Nature • Friendship |
| Setting | A quaint village and an enchanted forest |
| Length | 48 pages |
| Content Rating | G - Suitable for all ages |
| Ideal Reader | Families, classrooms, libraries, and young nature lovers ages 3-7 |
| My Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Quick Take: A beautifully illustrated story that encourages children to value friendship, respect nature, and discover the courage to make thoughtful choices.
Content Considerations:
- Gentle fantasy elements featuring talking trees and a magical forest.
- Touches on the concepts of good versus evil in an age-appropriate, non-frightening way.
- Encourages empathy, environmental stewardship, and thoughtful decision-making.
Here's what worked for me-and where the story really shines.
My Thoughts
One of the joys of reading children's books is finding stories that entertain while quietly encouraging young readers to see the world with greater wonder. And the Trees Talked Back is one of those special books.
Amanda's ability to communicate with trees immediately sparks the imagination, but this story offers much more than a magical adventure. As she searches for her beloved cat, Daisy, she discovers a hidden world where wisdom, kindness, fear, and courage all exist side by side. Through her encounters with the ancient trees, Amanda learns that our choices matter and that understanding others-whether people or nature-begins by listening.
Frederick J. Burns blends gentle fantasy with meaningful life lessons without ever feeling preachy. Themes of friendship, empathy, environmental stewardship, and personal responsibility are woven naturally into Amanda's journey, giving parents and educators plenty to discuss after the final page. The story introduces the concepts of good and evil in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way that encourages conversation rather than fear.
The black-and-white illustrations, accented with soft touches of color, complement the story beautifully and invite young readers to linger on each page. They add to the book's timeless, storybook feel while leaving room for children to imagine the magical forest for themselves.
I had the opportunity to read this book aloud to my seven-year-old grandchild, who was completely captivated from beginning to end. Watching the story unfold through young eyes reminded me that the best children's books appeal to readers of every age. Amanda's adventure sparked curiosity, prompted questions, and kept us both engaged until the very last page.
In Conclusion
Whether you're looking for a bedtime story, a classroom read-aloud, or a thoughtful addition to a child's home library, And the Trees Talked Back delivers a gentle but memorable message about friendship, courage, and caring for the natural world. As a Nana and lifelong reader, I wholeheartedly recommend this beautifully crafted picture book to families, teachers, and libraries alike.
Related Reviews
If your family enjoyed And the Trees Talked Back, here are a few more books that celebrate imagination, friendship, and growing through life's adventures.
Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri
More Books by Cheryl DaVeiga
Browse More Children's Book Reviews
In this guest post, Frederick J. Burns shares how everyday inspiration can lead to creative work in many forms.
Guest Post: "Finding Inspiration Everywhere"
I rarely, if ever, watch TV. Not that there is anything wrong with television. In fact, there are many great shows with intelligent, humorous, interesting, inventive, and informative writing. There are many engaging and wonderful actors as well. It's just that, most of the time, I prefer being creative myself rather than being entertained. I am always open to ideas that might inspire me to create something artistic.
For instance, one fall I came across some particularly colorful maple leaves. I was inspired to create a large copper wall sculpture of a branch with leaves. I bought copper pipe that could be bent into shapes resembling a branch and copper sheet that I could cut into leaf shapes. I soldered copper wire to the leaves, then soldered the leaf stems into holes drilled into the branch. Once everything was assembled, I applied acrylic paints to the leaves.
Another time, I saw a large board of purpleheart wood and was inspired to design and build a contemporary floor clock with an 18-inch clock face made of tiger-striped maple and ebony, formed into the shape of piano keys, each a different length to mark the twelve hours.
My current project is a self-portrait in oil on canvas inspired by a cloud formation that looked like a man reclining with his head buried in his arm. After spotting it by chance, I went home and photographed myself in the same pose. I then used a photo editor to emphasize the light and dark areas before transferring the image to the canvas with a projector.
Let's learn a little more about the author behind the story.
About Frederick J. Burns
About Frederick J Burns
Frederick J. Burns is an author, illustrator, and lifelong creative whose work celebrates kindness, imagination, and the connections that unite us. A former trial attorney, he now channels his storytelling into children's literature, creating books that encourage empathy, friendship, and an appreciation for the natural world.
Entirely self-taught as an artist, Frederick works across a variety of mediums, from pen and ink with watercolor washes to oil painting, sculpture, and woodworking. His intricate tree illustrations have drawn comparisons to the whimsical styles of Arthur Rackham and Maurice Sendak, while his artwork has appeared in juried exhibitions, public spaces, and on the cover of musician Dave Brinnel's album Alone.
His award-winning picture book, And the Trees Talked Back, invites readers of all ages to see beyond differences and discover the beauty of understanding one another. Frederick lives in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts with his wife, Heather, and their two dogs, where he continues to explore new artistic projects and develop future books.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Thanks for reading. If this sounds like your kind of story, you can explore purchase options below.
Support Local Bookshops
Prefer to support independent bookstores? You can shop And the Trees Talked Back through Bookshop.org below.
Shop And the Trees Talked Back on Bookshop.org
If the widget does not load right away, you can refresh the page or use the direct Bookshop link above.
Happy reading-and thank you for supporting indie authors and stories worth discovering.
Get Friday Finds + Bookish Extras
Join me for Friday Finds, cozy reads, and bookish discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
I really love trees and traveled across the country to go to Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks just to be among the sequoias.