Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest

Kostecki-Shaw's mixed-media artwork portrays activist Julia Butterfly Hill as a childlike figure wearing a bandana and yellow dress as she takes up residence for two years in the branches of Luna, an ancient California redwood, to save the tree from logging. The third-person narrative shifts between Butterfly's point of view ("Living 180 feet high in a tree wasn't easy. Her tree house was the size of a sandbox") and that of the tree ("Welcome, Little Butterfly. You are brave to have ventured up so high!"). A warm, appealing snapshot of this environmental activist. Ages 5-9. Agency: Worley-Shoemaker Literary Management. (May)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3--Kostecki-Shaw's beautifully illustrated picture book takes some liberties telling the story of Julia "Butterfly" Hill and her two-year stint tree-sitting in an ancient redwood to prevent its destruction by the Pacific Lumber Company. The tree, named Luna, is anthropomorphized through both text and images ("The redwood quivered with excitement, the way she always did when a new visitor arrived."), and Hill is depicted as a young girl (and referred to as Butterfly), although she was in her early 20s when she began her 738-day tree-sit. This may be confusing to children, but Kostecki-Shaw clarifies in an author's note that she made this choice so that the story would resonate more strongly with readers. The narrative is fascinating, with many jumping-off points for discussion with children ("And there wasn't a bathroom."; "To exercise, she climbed barefoot to the very top of Luna every morning."). The logistics are thoughtfully considered, and Kostecki-Shaw is careful to emphasize the teamwork that went into making it possible for Hill to remain in her 180-foot high platform until Luna was safe. Rendered in acrylics, watercolors, salt, pencil, and collage, the delicate, exquisitely detailed illustrations portray Hill, Luna, and the flora and fauna of the forest that take shelter in the giant redwood. The visuals are the book's strength, and readers will get a sense of the importance of protecting the environment. VERDICT There are few books for this age group that deal with local deforestation, making this charming introduction to environmentalism an ideal addition.--Jane Barrer, United Nations International School, New York City

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A CBC NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
A Green Earth Book Award Qualifying List Selection
A Florida Reading Association's Children's Book Award Nominee
A California Eureka List Selection

"The visuals are the book's strength, and readers will get a sense of the importance of protecting the environment. VERDICT There are few books for this age group that deal with local deforestation, making this charming introduction to environmentalism an ideal addition." —School Library Journal

"A warm, appealing snapshot of this environmental activist." —Publishers Weekly

"A gentle introduction to environmental activism for the very young." —Kirkus Reviews

"There is considerable usage potential here, from art projects to classroom community projects to diversity awareness projects. . . . There's also plenty of pleasure to be found just in sharing the thoughtful story and perusing the artwork." —BCCB on Same, Same But Different

"Young readers will close the book longing to have a friend from another place; for schools with global partnerships, this will be a go-to book for introducing these projects to classrooms." —The Horn Book Magazine on Same, Same But Different

"The imaginative multimedia illustrations, drawn in an animated, childlike style, add vibrant color and rich details to the story. Kostecki-Shaw presents a meaningful message of inclusivity in this engaging title." —School Library Journal on Same, Same But Different

"Working in exuberantly detailed spreads with a playful sense of proportion and perspective, she [Kostecki-Shaw] immerses readers in her heroes' worlds, showing them as confident navigators of even the busiest landscapes. On every page, readers will sense they're in the company of a generous, open-minded talent." —Publishers Weekly on Same, Same But Different