One Million Trees: A True Story, written and illustrated by Kristen Balouch. Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"We motored to a dock where a crew
of 24 Canadians who mostly spoke 

French met us with trailers, campers

and trucks. 

Inside the trucks were boxes, and inside

the boxes were ...

TREES! 

One MILLION of them!"

When a California family travels north to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, they are met by a large group of French Canadians who are part of a plan to revitalize a forest depleted by overlogging. The author, who tells this story, was only 10 when it happened. Now, forty years after that trip, she has chosen to tell her story. It was obviously a memorable one. 

It begins on the day her parents explain the purpose for their family trip. Kristen, her sisters, and her parents are embarking on a mission to plant trees. They pack up, and fly by commercial and seaplane to a small town where they meet the rest of the team. She is clearly surprised to learn they will be planting ONE MILLION TREES! 

Once settled at their campsite, and after having had a hearty breakfast, Kristen accompanies her dad, who is driving one of the planting trucks, to the planting site a short, obstacle-strewn trip away. Everywhere they look, all they can see are tree stumps. It prompts them to get to work. That work takes 40 days, and ends with feelings of great accomplishment. 

"After 40 days of planting, the tree boxes were empty. 
The food was gone. Everyone was covered in mud, 
scratches, and bug bites. But we all went to sleep happy
because ... "

So many wonderful memories shared in candid text filled with fascinating reporting, math puzzles based on nature as they live in it, and with a detailed look at the plugs to be planted, as well as step-by-step instructions for planting them. There are lessons learned in French, and numerous short asides printed in smaller text to help readers be part of every experience shared. 

The digital artwork is filled with action and people as they work together for the environment and to make a real difference. The British Columbia setting is ever present, and the gang of people who help with the job at hand diverse. There is much to see; readers will have an entertaining time poring over every spread. The final one is warm and satisfying. 

In back matter, an author's note discusses the importance of all trees to the health of our planet, and the need to continue to protect and replenish "old-growth forests" that continue to be logged without any thought to the future.