School Library Journal
★ Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate. illus. by Crystal Smith. K-Gr 3–Lyrical language that informs and evokes connection with the forest community, along with detailed and saturated illustrations that capture readers’ emotions, make this year-in-the-life of an aspen grove a stellar selection. … Complex scientific information is shared with readers through text that never overwhelms, accompanied by illustrations that support and deepen understanding. When Mother Aspen dies at the end of the book, readers will be comforted by all the ways her life continues. Fascinating back matter and listed resources expand on the information for young naturalists.
VERDICT A perfect combination of information, artwork, and emotional impact. Highly recommended for all collections as a wonderful introduction to the importance of forest biodiversity and the amazing world of trees.
John Scott:
Book List
Librarians and teachers will find many opportunities to fit poet and environmentalist LeBox’s gorgeous work into read-alouds, science units, art, and social-emotional learning. The main body of the book describes the life of a tree she calls Mother Aspen. LeBox narrates the long-term life of the tree, over hundreds of years, until the tree dies from storm damage. LeBox emphasizes the symbiosis of the tree, underground fungus, and forest animals; her description of how the dead tree will continue to give life by becoming a “nurse log” will be a valuable addition to lessons on life cycles and even on grieving. The author’s afterword and a closing nonfiction section offer details on tree cooperation and communication. Smith’s vibrant watercolors of the tree and forest dwellers are bursting with life and are a highlight of the book. A wonderful choice for school and public library shelves. — Henrietta Thornton
Canadian Children’s Book News Review
An ancient aspen tree produces and nourishes new shoots that communally become an aspen grove. As it grows, each offspring appears as an individual tree but, in reality, it’s part of one tree. This natural miracle is followed through all seasons, emphasizing the interdependence between the aspen and the flora and fauna within its ecosystem.
Wildlife finds shelter and sustenance within its canopy and assists in seed distribution.
Illustrations across double pages bring the text to life, revealing rich woodland scenes in vivid golds, yellows and softer shades of greys, greens and blues. They depict the beauty of the tree in all seasons and the species of wildlife it sustains, such as bears, moose, foxes and many birds and insects. The book contains a resource list and an author’s note citing the work of Dr. Suzanne Simard that emphasizes the dependence on cooperation rather than competition. Children and adults alike will delight in this attractive book that reveals the intricacies and resilience of nature.
Southern Nebraska Register
This is an enchanting tale of interaction of forest ecology. Crystal Smith draws absolutely beautiful pictures of animal and plant life throughout the text. The writing and art combine to attract readers to discover the next part of the story. Primary school students will enjoy looking at the pictures and listening to the story being read out loud. This is simply a beautiful book. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check it out. Enjoy!
Calgary Herald
Mother Aspen is a tree that is hundreds of years old. Gorgeous illustrations bring her to life as she shelters animals, feeds birds and fungi, and changes throughout the seasons. Young readers will learn how the fungi complement the tree by feeding it and carrying underground messages between other aspen, spruce, and fir trees. After living many years, when Mother Aspen falls to the ground after a storm, she keeps feeding and nurturing the forest. A wonderful resource for classrooms and a beautiful look at life cycles and seasons.
ABQLA Quebec Library Association Review
I love storybooks that show just how magical the real world can be, and Mother Aspen is a dedication to the complexities of the natural world. Nature, animals, and ecology are at the heart of this story book, with beautiful, full-page illustrations of forest landscapes. Every page is dense with visual texture through the leaves, bark, and foliage.
Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate Reviews
