With the growing interest in green publishing of late, I thought I would take this week to highlight The Tree. Originally written as a song by Dana Lyons, The Tree tells the story of an eight-hundred year old Douglas fir tree in the Pacific Northwest. The tree's history comes alive in David Danioth's stunning illustrations, which capture the spirit and vitality of the Northwest perfectly.

This book also raises the issues of deforestation and the fragility of nature as a whole. Winner of the 2003 Skipping Stones Magazine's Best Ecology Book award, The Tree serves as a great introduction to environmentalism and ecosystems for kids.

Printed on recycled paper, this is one picture book that nature lovers, young and old, will not want to miss.