Book Descriptions
for The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins and Jill McElmurry
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Most middle-class girls growing up in the 1860s were not encouraged to study science or actively work outside, but Katherine Sessions did both, graduating from the University of California in 1881. She especially loved trees, but found few in San Diego where she worked as a teacher. While most assumed nothing would grow in the desert climate, Kate did the necessary research, traveling and writing letters in her hunt for plants suitable to the environment. With the help of volunteers, Kate spearheaded a drive to plant thousands of trees in preparation for the Panama-California Exposition to be held in San Diego in 1915. After successfully creating a plant-rich environment in Balboa Park for the Exposition, Kate Sessions continued to pursue her passion for gardening for the rest of her life. Jill McElmurry's gouache illustrations track the gradual transformation of a sandy-brown setting to one of lush green. (Ages 5-8)
CCBC Choices 2014. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2014. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Unearth the true story of green-thumbed pioneer and activist Kate Sessions, who helped San Diego grow from a dry desert town into a lush, leafy city known for its gorgeous parks and gardens.
Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.
Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.
Part fascinating biography, part inspirational story, this moving picture book about following your dreams, using your talents, and staying strong in the face of adversity is sure to resonate with readers young and old.
Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees.
Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So this trailblazing young woman singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.
Part fascinating biography, part inspirational story, this moving picture book about following your dreams, using your talents, and staying strong in the face of adversity is sure to resonate with readers young and old.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
