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Walking Trees
Lily wants a tree for her birthday. Although she and her father live in a tiny dark apartment, she promises to give it water and sun and air. But after she receives her tree―whom she names George―even Lily can’t imagine how their daily walks will change the neighborhood! With George in a wagon, the two friends explore Lily’s street, greeting neighbors who are happy to sit in George’s shade. It turns out he’s the only tree on the street! Soon Lily’s friends want trees of their own. And together they become a small forest that travels from one end of the city to the other. Once word gets around, more people join in―with plants and flowers, chairs and picnic blankets, books and instruments. This uplifting new picture book by Marie-Louise Gay is inspired by a project by the landscape artist Bruno Doedens and the late Joop Mulder called Bosk (meaning “forest”) in the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. It reminds us that―if we dare to imagine it―we can change the world, one tree at a time. Key Text Features dialogue illustrations author's note gatefold Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Hardcover
Published May 20, 2025
28 people want to read
About the author
Marie-Louise Gay
130 books72 followersMarie-Louise Gay is the illustrator of many award-winning children's books. She is from Montreal, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 15, 2024
This review was first published at https://miramichireader.ca/author/sue... on November 13th.
“Lily fell in love with the forest one tree at a time.”
In Walking Trees by Marie-Louise Gay, a little girl named Lily and her father take a walk in the forest. Lily had never seen a forest before and it doesn’t take long before she falls in love with all the tall, green, leafy trees. Later, when she is asked what she wants for her birthday, she asks for her very own tree. She wakes up on her birthday to find a tree on the balcony of her 5th-floor apartment and she names it George. One day, Lily wants to show George how much bigger the world is than her tiny shoebox balcony, so she loads George into her wagon, takes it down the elevator and out to the sidewalk.
It’s a very hot day and as Lily pulls George down the street, she notes that George is the only tree on her street. One of her neighbours complains to Lily about the heat, saying that it never used to get this hot when she was young. When Lily rolls George closer to her neighbour, it casts a nice bit of shade, cooling her down. Lily walks George around her neighbourhood providing free shade for anyone who wants a bit of relief from the heat. Soon she has other kids asking their parents for their own trees and joining Lily on her walks. Before long they become a ‘walking forest’ providing shade, relief, beauty and relaxation to their urban neighbourhood.
Her tree had bright green leaves…”I’m going to call you George” whispered Lily
Walking Trees is a charming and inspirational children’s picture book about the importance of trees, especially in urban areas. They provide shade to combat the heat retained in cement and asphalt, and reduce both noise and air pollution. This fabulous story is one that can be read again and again and never get old. It has a great underlining message that one person can “change the world— one tree at a time”.
This fabulous story is one that can be read again and again and never get old.
Urban trees also have a huge impact on mental and physical health with the bonus of making the places we live more beautiful. As you read Walking Trees, you’ll notice that each page gets more colourful as the story moves along and the people in the story get happier and cooler, with a four-page gatefold as the grande finale. The many fun spin-off activities that can be done after reading this book can only add to our environment. Kids can plant a tree, plant and tend to a backyard garden, raise trees from seeds, and watch as they grow. I also see making popsicles as a spin-off activity and eating them in the shade of a tree, so that they don’t melt too fast.
Marie-Louise Gay was inspired to write Walking Trees after reading an article about an art project in the Netherlands called Bosk, which means forest. Thousands of trees were planted in huge wooden containers that were wheeled around the city by volunteers, providing shade and relaxation.
Walking Trees is Marie-Louise Gay’s 70th book that she has either Illustrated and/or written in her career. It was a 2024 finalist for the Quebec Writer’s Federation Janet Savage Blachford prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, where Hopscotch, also by Marie-Louise Gay, won!
“Lily fell in love with the forest one tree at a time.”
In Walking Trees by Marie-Louise Gay, a little girl named Lily and her father take a walk in the forest. Lily had never seen a forest before and it doesn’t take long before she falls in love with all the tall, green, leafy trees. Later, when she is asked what she wants for her birthday, she asks for her very own tree. She wakes up on her birthday to find a tree on the balcony of her 5th-floor apartment and she names it George. One day, Lily wants to show George how much bigger the world is than her tiny shoebox balcony, so she loads George into her wagon, takes it down the elevator and out to the sidewalk.
It’s a very hot day and as Lily pulls George down the street, she notes that George is the only tree on her street. One of her neighbours complains to Lily about the heat, saying that it never used to get this hot when she was young. When Lily rolls George closer to her neighbour, it casts a nice bit of shade, cooling her down. Lily walks George around her neighbourhood providing free shade for anyone who wants a bit of relief from the heat. Soon she has other kids asking their parents for their own trees and joining Lily on her walks. Before long they become a ‘walking forest’ providing shade, relief, beauty and relaxation to their urban neighbourhood.
Her tree had bright green leaves…”I’m going to call you George” whispered Lily
Walking Trees is a charming and inspirational children’s picture book about the importance of trees, especially in urban areas. They provide shade to combat the heat retained in cement and asphalt, and reduce both noise and air pollution. This fabulous story is one that can be read again and again and never get old. It has a great underlining message that one person can “change the world— one tree at a time”.
This fabulous story is one that can be read again and again and never get old.
Urban trees also have a huge impact on mental and physical health with the bonus of making the places we live more beautiful. As you read Walking Trees, you’ll notice that each page gets more colourful as the story moves along and the people in the story get happier and cooler, with a four-page gatefold as the grande finale. The many fun spin-off activities that can be done after reading this book can only add to our environment. Kids can plant a tree, plant and tend to a backyard garden, raise trees from seeds, and watch as they grow. I also see making popsicles as a spin-off activity and eating them in the shade of a tree, so that they don’t melt too fast.
Marie-Louise Gay was inspired to write Walking Trees after reading an article about an art project in the Netherlands called Bosk, which means forest. Thousands of trees were planted in huge wooden containers that were wheeled around the city by volunteers, providing shade and relaxation.
Walking Trees is Marie-Louise Gay’s 70th book that she has either Illustrated and/or written in her career. It was a 2024 finalist for the Quebec Writer’s Federation Janet Savage Blachford prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, where Hopscotch, also by Marie-Louise Gay, won!
March 30, 2024
What a charming story!!
Filled with beautiful and detailed illustrations, this book is a lovely lesson about nature [and its importance], caring for what is all around us, including the people we see each and every day and sharing what we have, even when teased about it [and watching how your sharing can change people's minds and hearts and inspire them to care and share as well].
A must-read in this time of dissent; littles and adults alike will love how this simple little story ultimately has a huge impact and will easily translate into one's daily life.
Very well done!
Thank you to NetGalley, Marie-Louise Gay, and House of Anansi Press, INC/Groundwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with beautiful and detailed illustrations, this book is a lovely lesson about nature [and its importance], caring for what is all around us, including the people we see each and every day and sharing what we have, even when teased about it [and watching how your sharing can change people's minds and hearts and inspire them to care and share as well].
A must-read in this time of dissent; littles and adults alike will love how this simple little story ultimately has a huge impact and will easily translate into one's daily life.
Very well done!
Thank you to NetGalley, Marie-Louise Gay, and House of Anansi Press, INC/Groundwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2024
Nice story with lovely illustrations.
March 21, 2024
What a beautiful story and inspired by something that is truly worth repeating. Lily has a relatively simply want, which is to have a tree because she loves nature and trees and there are none in her neighbourhood. So, like a good parent, her father buys her a tree. And she is thrilled when she gets her tree.
Like any child with a pet, she wants to take her tree on walks and with her, and so she figures out a way to do that and to share George with the people around her. Through such simple acts, she inspires others and soon enough, like the true story that inspired the book, Lily is part of a walking forest of trees that they bring around and share with others.
If you have read any Gay stories before, then you would be familiar with her style and her illustrations. This is consistent, and I liked that some characters from other books have cameos. I can't remember if they do in her earlier works, but Stella was the first one I spotted which made me flip back to see if there were others. I am pretty sure there were a few.
All in all, this is a great story that may just kick start a movement with children who pick it up and read it. Maybe they won't want a tree or start a walking forest, but they may ask for a plant or to build up a small garden plot.
* I received an ARC via NetGalley
Like any child with a pet, she wants to take her tree on walks and with her, and so she figures out a way to do that and to share George with the people around her. Through such simple acts, she inspires others and soon enough, like the true story that inspired the book, Lily is part of a walking forest of trees that they bring around and share with others.
If you have read any Gay stories before, then you would be familiar with her style and her illustrations. This is consistent, and I liked that some characters from other books have cameos. I can't remember if they do in her earlier works, but Stella was the first one I spotted which made me flip back to see if there were others. I am pretty sure there were a few.
All in all, this is a great story that may just kick start a movement with children who pick it up and read it. Maybe they won't want a tree or start a walking forest, but they may ask for a plant or to build up a small garden plot.
* I received an ARC via NetGalley
March 22, 2024
Can you take your tree for a walk? Is it like a dog? And why would you want to do so?
Lily wants a tree for her birthday, as she loves trees, even though she lives in an apartment. She names the tree George, and actually takes him walking in the City.
And rather than people thinking it is odd, they enjoy the shade it brings, and other people join in, and soon there is a whole forest being taken for a walk every day.
Such a cute way to show how trees are needed in the city. In fact, people comment how much cooler it is under the trees, and how much the birds like them.
We do need more trees in the city. And this book is inspired by a town that would take trees out for walks in a town in the Netherlands called Leeuwarden. In the summer of 2022, 1000 trees were brought into the city, as part of an art festival.
Hopefully other towns will try this, and the Lily story will not be so strange.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book came out on the 5th of March 2024.
Lily wants a tree for her birthday, as she loves trees, even though she lives in an apartment. She names the tree George, and actually takes him walking in the City.
And rather than people thinking it is odd, they enjoy the shade it brings, and other people join in, and soon there is a whole forest being taken for a walk every day.
Such a cute way to show how trees are needed in the city. In fact, people comment how much cooler it is under the trees, and how much the birds like them.
We do need more trees in the city. And this book is inspired by a town that would take trees out for walks in a town in the Netherlands called Leeuwarden. In the summer of 2022, 1000 trees were brought into the city, as part of an art festival.
Hopefully other towns will try this, and the Lily story will not be so strange.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book came out on the 5th of March 2024.
March 23, 2024
Walking Trees is a lovely book! Lily wants a tree for her birthday, even though the apartment she lives in is rather small and dark. Everyday she takes her tree for a walk (in a little wagon) and the idea catches on and soon the neighborhood is alive with additional walking trees.
It reminds me of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and human rights activist who was known as the "Woman of Trees" for her work to reforest Africa.
Love, love, love Walking Trees for the text, illustrations and message! Great job Marie-Louise Gay!
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Marie-Louise Gay and publisher Groundwood Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Walking Trees in exchange for an honest review. I love trees! A solid 5 stars in my book! 36 pages. publication date 05 Mar 2024.
It reminds me of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and human rights activist who was known as the "Woman of Trees" for her work to reforest Africa.
Love, love, love Walking Trees for the text, illustrations and message! Great job Marie-Louise Gay!
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Marie-Louise Gay and publisher Groundwood Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Walking Trees in exchange for an honest review. I love trees! A solid 5 stars in my book! 36 pages. publication date 05 Mar 2024.
March 25, 2024
I can't even tell you how much I loved this book. I'm a retired preschool teacher, mother of 7, and grandmother of 2, so I've read A LOT of children's books - specifically books geared toward the preschool and early elementary ages. This one stands out for so many reasons: it's unique - I've never read a story about a "pet tree" before, the illustrations are beautiful, interesting and detailed, and the message of the book - one person can transform a city - I loved all of it! This is one I will add to my already huge collection of picture books!
March 31, 2024
Awe, This is the sweetest, coolest book! This tree hugging, forest, loving, lifelong reader will be buying this for her grandkids💕 The author wrote this book after being inspired by a true story out of the Netherlands. Young Lily asks for a tree for her birthday after visiting a forest. She names her tree George and takes him for walks around the neighborhood to get fresh air and sunlight. What happens on those walks is sweet and inspiring. Beautifully illustrated! If you love trees, you must read this book! 🥰
March 21, 2024
Lily lives in a city and after visiting a forest with her dad she loves it so much she decides she wants a tree. She takes good care of her tree and names him George.
Lily takes her tree for walks, because there's not much room at home, and her neighbors grow to appreciate her tree so much they get their own trees and flowers and other plants. This is a beautiful story of bringing nature into your life and it's based on a true story.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
Lily takes her tree for walks, because there's not much room at home, and her neighbors grow to appreciate her tree so much they get their own trees and flowers and other plants. This is a beautiful story of bringing nature into your life and it's based on a true story.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
September 30, 2024
Leave it to the innovative Dutch for inventing the concept of a moveable forest as a way to add greenery to dreary urban landscapes. In this story, a girl shares shade and goodwill with her neighbors as she and her green-leafed friend stroll around the neighborhood, inspiring others to join together to create a walking forest. Whimsical illustrations show that anything is possible with a little imagination and an open heart.
October 2, 2024
I love books by Marie-Louise Gay. My favorite and the one with which I discovered her was Short Stories for Little Monsters.
Her books are on the whimsical side and I really enjoy the artwork and where the stories take you. My kids are much older now than the target ages for her books but I just checked a bunch of them out of the library recently. I still enjoy reading them as an adult.
Her books are on the whimsical side and I really enjoy the artwork and where the stories take you. My kids are much older now than the target ages for her books but I just checked a bunch of them out of the library recently. I still enjoy reading them as an adult.
April 2, 2024
Ooh - green justice, a true story of urban neighborhoods gaining green space transformed into a fun and endearing picture book? Oh yes! Very inspiring too -- made me want to take a tree for a walk, too! I love Mary Louise Gay's work but this one leaning into Eco-Justice made me really happy.
July 26, 2024
2024 Canadian picture book. Main character wants a tree for her birthday; names him George and takes him for a walk through the diverse community, providing shade to people. A valuable contribution to a study on trees, but not much more. Probably a pass for me.
March 28, 2024
ARC from Netgalley.
June 7, 2024
What a fabulous idea!
June 7, 2024
Lily asks for an unconventional gift for her birthday. and it starts an environmental trend.
August 1, 2024
Oh, well this is just delightful! :)
June 11, 2025
Great story! Now I want to wheel around a tree in a wagon and bring joy and shade everywhere.
December 18, 2024
This was a very cute, different kids book! The story is fun, unique, and lighthearted, and the illustrations are great.
Lily has such love for the trees of the forest, that she wants a pet tree in her city life. She walks her pet tree and spreads joy and her love of trees everywhere she goes - it’s contagious!
My son loved looking into the trees to see what was in the branches. We will be buying this one to keep on our bookshelf!
Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Reader.
Lily has such love for the trees of the forest, that she wants a pet tree in her city life. She walks her pet tree and spreads joy and her love of trees everywhere she goes - it’s contagious!
My son loved looking into the trees to see what was in the branches. We will be buying this one to keep on our bookshelf!
Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Reader.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews