Walking Trees
This new picture book by Marie-Louise Gay is inspired by a project by the artist Bruno Doedens and the late Joop Mulder called Bosk (meaning “forest”) in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. It reminds us that we can change the world, one tree at a time. Read more
Lily wants a tree for her birthday. Although she and her father live in a tiny dark apartment, she promises to give it water and sun and air. But after she receives her tree―whom she names George―even Lily can’t imagine how their daily walks will change the neighborhood!
With George in a wagon, the two friends explore Lily’s street, greeting neighbors who are happy to sit in George’s shade. It turns out he’s the only tree on the street! Soon Lily’s friends want trees of their own. And together they become a small forest that travels from one end of the city to the other. Once word gets around, more people join in―with plants and flowers, chairs and picnic blankets, books and instruments.