CFDL hosts ‘Arbor Day with an Author’

CRYSTAL FALLS — To celebrate Arbor Day, which was held on April 30 and honors the planting of new trees, the Crystal Falls District Community Library arranged a visit from Carrie A. Pearson, author of “Stretch to the Sun: From a Tiny Sprout to the Tallest Tree on Earth” for Forest Park first and second graders.
Pearson read her book to the students and talked to them about the redwood trees of California. Each student received a copy of the book to keep as an addition to their home libraries.  This project was funded by a grant from the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund.  
Pearson is an award-winning author from Marquette. According to CFDL Director Evelyn Gathu, the concept of the book began when her mother asked her, “Do you know what’s going on in the tops of redwood trees?”  This question piqued her interest, and her research led her to California to study the redwoods in person. She was awarded a grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators that covered her travel expenses to California from Marquette to work with James B. Wheeler, a park ranger at the Redwood National Park in California. Pearson’s story is illustrated by Susan Swan.
Pearson was very enthusiastic about her visit.  In an email to Gathu, Pearson said “I’m still on a bit of a high from being in an actual school with actual children and sharing the power of books together. My favorite line spoken by a student was, ‘You mean I get to keep this book forever?’”  
More information about the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund, along with information on how to donate, can be found at www.sustainableinc.org.
Gathu said the Crystal Falls District Community Library would like to thank the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund for its generous help in sponsoring the author visit with Pearson and for the purchase of 90 picture books that were distributed to the students.  
“It was a wonderful day to be able to see all the children holding, reading, and loving their new book,” Gathu said. “Thank you to the John E. Force Forestry Education Fund along with Forest Park for our wonderful partnership working with students.”