Arbor Day Square

Description

Katie and her papa are among a group of settlers building a town in the middle of the dusty, brown prairie. Every week the trains bring more people who build houses, fences, and barns. But one thing is missing: trees. When the townspeople take up a collection to order trees from back east, Katie adds her own pennies and Papa's silver dollar. When the tiny saplings finally arrive, Katie helps dig holes and fetch water. Then, in a quiet corner off the public square, Katie and Papa plant a flowering dogwood in memory of Mama. Although set in the past, Kathryn O. Galbraith's gentle story of community building, the timelessness of love, and the power of ritual will resonate with young readers today. Cyd Moore's full-color illustrations reflect the simplicity of the story and life in a new prairie town, while evoking the complexity of its themes.

Inspired by the creation of Arbor Day, this gentle picture book illuminates the experience of establishing roots in a new home and the comfort that a familiar landscape can provide. Katie and her papa are among a group of settlers building a town in the middle of the dusty, brown prairie. Every week the trains bring more people who build houses, fences, and barns. But one thing is missing- trees. The townspeople take up a collection to order trees from back east and Katie adds her own pennies and Papa's silver dollar. When the tiny saplings finally arrive, Katie helps dig holes and fetch water. Then, in a quiet corner off the public square, Katie and Papa plant a flowering dogwood in memory of Mama. Kathryn O. Galbraith's gentle story of community building, the timelessness of love, and the power of ritual will resonate with readers.

"An attractive introduction to the celebration of Arbor Day." "Galbraith's poetic text and Moore's soft watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations recreate those spring days on the prairie when planting trees was a cause for celebration." "Moore's gentle pencil and watercolors lend a classic storybook feel to the story"