Lovely audiobooK! I appreciated the subtle voices for characters as they experienced life and look forward to sharing this audio with kids in my life!

“We wouldn’t think all plants, animals, or insects should be the same as one another….it also wouldn’t make sense for every person to be the same as one another!”

Together, a Forest is a phenomenal children’s book. Focusing on a class field trip to the forest, the students learn that differences are natural! Every single child aligns with some aspect of the forest (a child who uses a power wheelchair feels like a bee as she is always on the move and zipping from thing to thing!). Absolutely love the diversity show throughout this book, especially the focus on disability (neurodiversity, autism, power wheelchair users, children who use white canes).

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Together, a Forest.

Really enjoyed the audio for this one and getting to explore with the narrator. I loved hearing how this book came about and the message of striving for an inclusive coexisitence.

Together a Forest by Roz MacLean is a heartwarming children’s book that beautifully conveys the power of community and collective action. Through its gentle narrative, it teaches young listeners how small, individual efforts can come together to create something big and meaningful. A perfect story for inspiring teamwork and environmental awareness in kids!

The author makes a comparison between the diversity of a forest and the diversity of the children on a field trip. Each child has a unique feature that allows him to enjoy the forest, whether it is a love of art, a feeling of being driven by a motor, or a sensitivity to harsh light. One child uses they/them pronouns. All together, this is a charming book about how enjoyable it is to wander the forest and create art.

I listened to the audiobook version. There is music playing under the narrators voice which is very soothing and calming and when they talk about bird sounds, there are actual bird sounds present that helps bring the story to life. I do think this book would be better as a picture book to gain a child's attention. This book touches on the differences of being neurodivergent and the author gave her reasoning behind wanting to include this and compared it to all the different things in a forest. The author also explains the different layers in a forest (canopy, herb layer, forest floor, etc) I would recommend reading this to ages 6-10. The narrator did a great job of engaging her audience.


Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to this audiobook with my kindergartener on the way to school, and we both enjoyed it! The story is very cute with vivid imagery of a class forest field trip. My family loves nature and animals so it was a great way to also learn about different plants and the ecosystem. I loved how diversity was the central aspect of the book and how it tied diversity in nature to diversity in humans/friends as well.

The narrator was also pleasant and we enjoyed the extra sound effects of music and nature in the background.

Thank you to Roz MacLean, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for letting us listen in pre-release date! It is now on our list to buy when released and we can't wait to see the pictures!

The narrator was great. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!

I really enjoyed the story, but I found it a bit too informational for kids. I think it’s a great read for teachers, but it might not be the best fit for younger readers.

4.5 ⭐️

This children’s audiobook was great. It educates on ecosystems in nature and relates that information back to diversity in humans - specifically neurodiversity and intellectual differences. It’s a really good comparative relationship that kids can easily grasp.

The narrator delivers the storyline flawlessly. It is a little fact dense for new, younger learners. A combo read of audio with the physical book for reference, to help the reader follow along for the first read or two would likely be very helpful.

Thank you NetGalley, Roz MacLean, and Macmillian audio for this audiobook ARC.

This is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack attached that is narrated by Melinda Sewak. The music plays underneath the narrators voice. The music is primarily spa music, nature sounds with light instrumental music added. It creates an atmosphere of wonder for the story.

This focuses on Ms. Khan's art class as they explore a forest ecosystem. The uniqueness of the inhabitants of the forest is highlighted by each student finding something that reinforced the beauty of human diversity. I asked to review this for the diversity angle, which is important now more than ever. However, I found myself charmed by the exploration of forest ecosystems. What a delightful description of underground fungi networks!

This also features a diverse group of kids as students tackling ethnic, racial, and disabilities which are part of what makes each individual unique. This is beautifully handled and a delightful story.

Thank you to Roz MacLean, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for the advanced audiobook!
Narrated by Melinda Sewak

Together, a Forest is short, sweet, and educational. Judging by the cover, Im assuming the illustrations are beautiful and compliment the beauty of individuality and cohesiveness thant a Forest has. MacLean does a fantastic job comparing the different yet important rolls of animals and plants found throughout the forest to the differences of children/people and how we function, think, and feel.
Sewak has such a pleasant and soothing voice. Her narration made it an easy listen. The continual background music and forest sounds made it an even more delightful experience.

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved this look at our different learning styles and how we can use them to work better instead of against each other! I want to see the pictures in this book because I'm sure they would add another level to this story. A wonderful children's book.

Excellent lessons about diversity. The book compared diversity in people to diversity in ecosystems. It really hit home. I enjoyed it a lot.

5 stars

The audiobook was a little confusing of a listen but I got the overall gist of the story! A group of kids find an element that relates to them and shows them the strength they have within themselves! Showing diversity and strength and being stronger together as a group! A cute read!

A wonderful message that was well-narrated. Although a bit heavy handed on the messaging, it’ll fit in well when reaching the value and necessity of diversity in our environment and amongst humanity.

This was a lovely audiobook that illustrates that idea that diversity in nature, as well as in ways of thinking, creates a beautiful and functional ecosystem. I think it's a great book for helping kids see the beauty if different ways of experiencing the world around them.

I liked the audio extras, which made the book feel more substantial as an audiobook.

I listened to this book with my four kids in the car ranging from ages 4-11. All of them really enjoyed listening to it. The older kids really liked the detailed information about fungi, trees and how unique all the different characters were. It encouraged the kids to ask questions and I appreciate that it got the kids thinking. My 4 year old even put his tablet down to listen to it so I think that’s definitely a win!
We also really liked the sounds of nature in the background. It made the story come to life.
The audio narration was relaxing but kept us engaged. I think this would be a great book for an elementary class to listen to together.

This was an enjoyable book and a great add to anyones displays or reads for Earth Day. Different perspectives viewing the world is beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early audio copy.

This was an adorable audiobook to listen to with my young son. The narration is wonderful. The narrator’s voice is fun and engaging. The background sounds are also a great addition. My son especially loved the birds.

The class field trip to the forest was a lot of fun. My son enjoyed learning about the ecosystem. He had strong desire to go outside and do some exploring after listening to the story, I loved the diversity and inclusion in this book. This book provides a great message for children about accepting other people’s differences.