The Tree Lady    by H. Joseph Hopkins & Jill McElmurry Order:  USA  Can Beach Lane, 2013 (2013) Hardcover     Reviewed by Bob Walch Kate Olivia Sessions was a remarkable woman. As a child she developed a love of nature and trees in particular that remained with her throughout her life. Growing up in Northern California in the 1860s, Kate was passionate about science and that interest led her to be the first woman to receive a degree in science from the University of California, Berkeley. With her degree in hand, Kate moved to San Diego where she taught school. Noticing that the area didn't have many trees, Kate also created a nursery and launched a tree planting campaign. In the early 1900s, when Kate heard that San Diego would host the 1915 Panama California Exposition, she set out, with the help of other local residents, to transform Balboa Park, the site of the exposition, into a lush, forested wonderland. When the exposition opened, visitors were awed by the magnificent gardens and cool, forested park that greeted them. This picture book tells the story of the exceptional woman, known as the Mother of Balboa Park, whose love of trees transformed a city. Children five years of age and older will not only enjoy reading about Kate but perhaps they will also want to emulate her and plant a few trees around their neighborhood or in their towns. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews