Climate Literacy in Education

Listening to the Trees

A Metareflection on Design Considerations During the Creation of a “Trees and Forests” Literary Thematic Package

Colleen Redmond

University of Minnesota

Keywords: interconnectedness, collective action, ecosystem services, biodiversity, trees

Abstract

From Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood to the Ents in The Lord of the Rings and Truffula Trees in The Lorax, trees have long had a central place in stories told to children. This article reflects on the creation of a tree- and forest-centered literary thematic package through the lens of community, kinship, and agency. Rooted in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), this collection of picturebooks, novels, videos, digital resources, and artwork reframes trees as more than passive materials for human use and invites students to reflect on their connections not only with other humans but with the plants, animals, and more-than-human beings who share this planet. Designed as a resource for K-12 educators, this work discusses the creation of the package, selection criteria, and possibilities for developing future collections, offering practical guidance and inspiration for educators seeking relational, story-based thematic approaches to climate literacy.