Becoming: Pictures, Poems, and Stories

by Julia Butterfly Hill

Book by Julia Butterfly Hill, a woman most known for her historic 738 day tree-sit in an over 1,000 year-old California redwood tree to keep the tree from being cut down and to protest the logging of ancient forests. Ascending on December 10, 1997, she touched ground for the first time in over two years on December 18th after settling an agreement that protected the tree and a buffer zone around it. This book has photos, poetry, artwork, photocopies of her hand made book, all from that time along with photos and artwork since. --Amazon

Genres: Poetry

167 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Julia Lorraine Hill, widely known as Julia Butterfly Hill, is an American environmental activist and tax redirection advocate. She gained international recognition for living 738 days in a 200-foot, approximately 1,000-year-old California redwood tree named Luna from 1997 to 1999 to prevent its logging, ultimately securing its preservation. Hill is the author of The Legacy of Luna (2000) and co-author of One Makes the Difference. Following a near-fatal car accident in 1996, she shifted focus from career ambitions to environmental activism. Hill has since become a motivational speaker, founded the Circle of Life Foundation, and co-created the Engage Network, training civic leaders for social change. She has protested oil pipelines in Ecuador, advocated for tax redirection to fund social and environmental programs, and worked to protect urban farms. Hill’s activism has inspired documentaries, literature, songs, and stage works, including the 2025 Broadway musical Redwood. Her work continues to influence environmental advocacy and grassroots movements worldwide.

Reviews

[Govinda Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. This is poetry, photos, drawings, and brief explanations about what happened while she was up in Luna, the tree, in the 1990s. I read it in one sitting, and as I turned from one page and one poem to another, I kept thinking, "That's my favorite poem (or drawing)in this book. That's so beautiful," only to read a little further and find my new favorite. I remember when the author was up in the tree, and I was following it in the local news. This brought it all back. I will read it again. It is so inspiring.

[Roni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book from yearly The Jubilee Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio where Julia was there as a presenter. I heard hers and it drew me to seek books of her to read. This book is a treasure chest among masterpieces. Her short stories and poetry are very touching, stunning and spiritual that making you to look inward of yourself and be aware of living beings surrounding you.