The Witness Trees: Historic Moments and the Trees Who Watched Them Happen

“Our roots run deep—/ they grip history,/ a restless forever,” open the incantatory first-person plural lines propelling this tribute to historic “witness trees.” Though largely U.S.- and U.K.-centered and haphazardly organized, examples of figures linked to trees range from Siddhartha to Robin Hood to Jesse Owens, while instances of major events include the War of 1812, the bombing of Hiroshima, and 9/11. A white-presenting contemporary family visits the sites as historical scenes happen. Luna—the redwood that Julia Butterfly Hill occupied—is given its due, as is a water oak tree once climbed by Helen Keller and the horse chestnut that resided outside the attic in which Anne Frank’s family hid from Nazi forces. Đô´m’s landscape illustrations comfortably portray historical and geographical scenes; human figures, shown with varying skin tones, resemble cartoon animation. By piling on examples, Van Cleave impresses upon readers trees’ enduring power. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline. Ages 6–9. (May)