Tree Spirits

Tree Spirits is an interactive picture book that encourages creativity, social emotional intelligence, and seeing the world with fresh eyes. Encouraging children to develop their imagination, creativity and emotional intelligence. With 25 color photographs of trees, the rhyming text asks, “What DO you see when you look up at this tree?” inviting a child to use their imagination. Turning the page reveals an illustrated overlay of a charming animal inspired by the lines and shapes of the tree bark. Each animal introduces a different emotion helping children to understand their own inner spirit and feelings. For parents and grandparents and friends and family it is a fun book to read with the children in their lives. The book includes 4 sheets of tracing paper to invite them to begin drawing what they see and ends with encouraging children to go out and look at the trees in their neighborhood and keep noticing, “What do I see?” Beautiful illustrations by talented graphic artist April Tatiana Jackson. LOUISE WANNIER “Safta” – “Safta” is Hebrew for grandmother and, as of this printing, is very lucky to have five grandchildren. As an artist, Louise is fascinated by observing patterns and loves the discovery of how the camera shifts the focus and emphasis from what our eyes natively see.

Louise Wannier is a Serial Entrepreneur, Artist and now Author. This is my first Interactive Childrens’ Picture Book: Tree Spirits (the first in an envisioned series to help stimulate the imagination and help develop emotional intelligence). As an artist, I am fascinated by observing patterns, noticing closely how light interacts with both nature and our intense, dynamic urban landscapes. I attempt to capture and present visually the energy and spirit I observe and feel in our complex world. Lately I have become captivated by the presence of abstract patterns within both natural and manmade objects and structures and noticing that some can be revisited whilst others are only present in the moment the picture was taken. I love the discovery too of how the camera shifts our focus and emphasis from what our eyes natively see.

April Tatiana Jackson has worn many creative hats throughout her multifaceted freelance career, but being a children’s book illustrator has by far been the most rewarding. April is a Los Angeles native who grew up with a love for the arts and creative expression. She received her degree in communications from the beautiful University of California, Santa Barbara, but she’s happy to be settled back in the City of Angels where she currently resides with her husband and son. River.