Arbor Day Square

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."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."—School Library Journal

"An attractive introduction to the celebration of Arbor Day."—Booklist

"Moore's gentle pencil and watercolors lend a classic storybook feel to the story"—Kirkus ReviewsKathryn O. Galbraith grew up in Michigan with four brothers and several pets. The award-winning author of seventeen books, she taught writing for children at the University of Washington for nine years and has spoken at conferences across the country. She lives in Washington.

Cyd Moore has been a painter, graphic designer, and art director, as well as the illustrator of more than fifty books, including I Love You, Stinky Face, which has sold over a million and a half copies, and Willow, which was included in Oprah's Book Club 2010 Kids' Reading List: 6 to 9 Years. Originally from Georgia, she now lives in South Carolina.