Plant A Tree A Year For Life

In a delightfully direct and simple fashion, "Plant a Tree A Year For Life" offers children two things they can really use: understanding and hope for making this a better world.

Author David A. Kidd has taken the mission of the American Free Tree Program and used it as a springboard for this "Little Green Book" to educate children ages 2 - 7 about the role and importance of trees.

The book teaches children that trees are alive, can breathe and "feel" the wind and rain, adapt to their environments, provide homes for other animals, and are needed by hurnans as well. It concludes: "Plant a tree every year of your life and make the whole world feel better." The last page offers a tree-planting pledge the reader can color and sign.

Kidd launched the American Free Tree Program in 1989, with the goal of planting one billion trees in North America and replanting rain forests in Costa Rica. In 1995, more than 1 million volunteers will plant over 2 million tree seedlings, bringing AFTP's total to more than 7 million trees. Kidd's vision includes motivating students and adult volunteers to reforest America - "one tree, one yard, one city at a time." His new book offers yet another step in that direction.

Also planned in 1995 are two additional "Little Green Book" titles: 'Trees Vacuum the Whole World," and "Everywhere You See Sky There Used to be a Tree."

These books are intended to help raise money for clubs, churches, schools and groups, and so bulk rates are available.

"Plant a Tree a Year For Life" is an important tool for teaching children about compassion and respect for all life. It's brevity makes it appropriate for they oungest child. It's message can be appreciated by all.

-Reviewed by Jennie O. Collura