This painting is one of over twenty original works I created for TREES (2020), a children’s book authored by award-winning writer Tony Johnston. Part lyrical meditation, part ecological celebration, TREES introduces young readers to the extraordinary diversity of the arboreal world—from maples and elms to ginkgos, magnolias, and redwoods. Through poetic language and vivid imagery, the book fosters an early sense of wonder and stewardship, encouraging children to engage with the richness of biodiversity and to recognize the vital role trees play in sustaining life on Earth.