National Network for Equitable Library Service

When Kristen Balouch was ten years old, her parents made a surprising announcement: their whole family was going on a trip to plant trees! Kristen, her sisters, and her mom and dad--and their pet, Wonder Dog--flew from their California home to a logging site in British Columbia. There, they joined a crew working to replant the trees that had been cut down. In this story, Kristen reflects on the forty days they spent living in a tent, covered in mud and bug bites, working hard every day to plant a new forest. Young listeners will learn a little French, practice some math skills, and learn all about how to plant a tree the right way! This engaging, kid-friendly story ends with a modern-day look at what Kristen's family helped accomplish: a stand of huge trees growing on what used to be an empty, muddy patch of bare stumps. An author's note shares more information about deforestation, sustainable logging practices, and the irreplaceable environmental benefit of old growth forests--plus the amazing things even a small group of people can do when they work together. A fun story with an important environmental message, this story is bound to inspire kids to get their hands dirty to make our planet healthy!