The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever
by H. Joseph Hopkins
illustrated by Jill McElmurry
Beach Lane Books, 2013
review copy provided by the publisher
Even if you don't live in San Diego, you need to meet Kate Sessions.
You need to know her because she was the kind of person whose childhood passions became her lifelong work...in spite of all kinds of barriers that made it difficult to be a woman scientist in the 1800's.
Kate's love of trees and science followed her to the Southern California desert town of San Diego, where she was first a teacher, then a gardener and tree hunter, searching for the kinds of trees that would grow and thrive in San Diego's climate.
Her vision for the city transformed Balboa Park when the Panama-California Exposition came in 1915.
Kate Sessions was a person who lived her dreams and changed her world.
The writing in this picture book biography is exceptional. The repeating phrase, "But Kate did" (and variations thereof), found at the end of every page, adds a solid certainty to the importance of Kate's dream, her passion, and her life's work.
What a beautiful cover. I like that the author wrote about someone we've never heard of before! Looks worth reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to look this book up! I have family in SD and grew up in So Cal so this strikes a chord with me. Thanks for sharing this with us. =)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of those few others who made a difference in nature, Mary Lee. We have our book fair tomorrow night (and days following) so hopefully they'll have the book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the front cover of this book. I want it!
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