Dr. Joyce W. Teal Tells Us a Story of a Tree That Witnessed a Legendary Event

People are not only star witnesses of our history—trees, too.

Philadelphia, PA, United States – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Through the lens of this book, she hopes that we are still grounded with the fears from the past to embrace a courageous future.

Retired Educator, poet, and author, Dr. Joyce W. Teal presents her book inspired by a true story during the Civil Rights Era.

This story uses personification and is expressed from a tree’s standpoint. Each of the tree parts was also given a name and had the chance to tell a story- Barbara Branches, Bob Bark, Lucy Leaves, Linda Limb, Nelson Nest, Randy Roots, Sam Sap, and Teresa Trunk.

This book shares the perspective of Tanza the Tree who stands in the yard of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. It stood in that yard for generations and witnessed everything that took place even during the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. Just before 11 o’clock, the congregation was knocked to the ground instead of rising to begin prayers. As a bomb exploded under the steps of the church, they sought safety under the pews and shielded each other from falling debris. In the basement, four little girls were killed.

Dr. Teal got the inspiration to write this book to enlighten children and young people to learn the actual events that happened in American history, especially since a lot of schools and educational systems are trying to change history. The author believes that by using books and telling a story, she would be able to cascade the right information to the youth.

What makes this book more interesting is that it gives more emphasis on the African American struggle to gain equal rights in Birmingham before, which is also considered to be the cause of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Birmingham was the most segregated city in the United States in April 1963.

Dr. Teal has done a wonderful job of relaying the actual story through the use of characters that portray real-life events and bring lessons to the youth and society in general. Anyone who wishes to eliminate segregation and see a change in this world should definitely read this book to get a deeper perspective.

Rare Books Media endorses this project. They recommend getting a copy of the book in audiobook format, so readers with various disabilities may enjoy this tale worth sharing

“The Tree That Told A Tale” by Dr. Joyce Willard Teal
Audiobook | 9798822603349
Paperback | 978-1953904201
Kindle | 9798822603349

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book retailers. You may also get your copies directly through her personal site: https://untealthen.com/