Peter and the Tree Children. Peter Wohlleben

      

      To the little ones who love the tree children

      — P.W.

      To all those giving nature the care

      and respect it deserves

      — C.A.

      PETER WOHLLEBEN

      ILLUSTRATED BY CALE ATKINSON

      TRANSLATED BY JANE BILLINGHURST

      GREYSTONE BOOKS

      VANCOUVER / BERKELEY

      Peter and the

      Tree Children

      A NOTE FOR YOU

      BEFORE WE STEP INTO THE FOREST

      I live in a forest in Germany, where I often tell stories to children about the

      animals and the trees.

      Piet the squirrel is a real squirrel. Every day he scampers about in the tops

      of the trees growing around my forest lodge or in the meadow nearby. In

      winter, I put food out for him under an old pine tree, and in summer he

      plays with the other squirrels in the treetops.

      The ancient beech trees with their children aren’t far away, either. Behind

      my lodge, there is a preserve where the beeches can grow undisturbed. In

      this protected spot, no one is allowed to cut down any trees and it is always

      beautifully shady and cool.

      I needed a special story for this book and I immediately thought of Piet. In

      this story, Piet is curious about families, since he doesn’t have one of his

      own. He can’t believe that even trees have families. He asks me to show him,

      and so we set out on our search for the tree children.

      Are you ready to make the journey with Piet to find the tree children? Yes?

      Then I will begin the story.

      We are lucky that Cale has painted absolutely wonderful pictures so you can

      see all the places we’re going to visit. I hope you enjoy our adventure!

      Every morning before Peter the forester went

      out into the woods, he sat on the bench in front of his house.

      He sipped his coffee, listened to the birds sing, and watched

      the sun rise over the forest. One day, a squirrel scampered up

      and sat down next to him as though they were old friends.

      Its black eyes were brimming with tears.

      “What’s the matter?” asked Peter.

      He wasn’t expecting a reply but,to his surprise, the squirrel

      said, “I’m all alone. I don’t have any family.”

      Peter looked carefully at the squirrel. “That’s hard,”

      he said gently. “My children no longer live in the

      forest with me, but I still have the trees. Did you know

      they have families, too?”

      “Really?” asked the squirrel.