Katherine Olivia Sessions grew up among
the redwoods of northern California and simply loved trees. In 1881, she became
the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in
science. She headed south to San Diego to teach, but, dismayed by the area's
lack of trees, she left teaching to establish a nursery, identifying species of
trees that might thrive in this dry desert climate and terrain. Kate sought
seeds from horticulturists far and wide, taking care that plantings be well
suited for the conditions, and by the turn of the century her energy and
commitment had transformed San Diego’s City Park into a verdant oasis. When Balboa
Park was chosen to be the site of the Panama-California
Exposition in 1915, Kate wanted thousands more trees – oaks, eucalypti, palms –
to be planted. Through the efforts of countless volunteers and widespread
support, the gardens of the exposition became truly spectacular, the fair
stayed open an extra year, and Kate’s efforts established an enduring green
legacy for the city. Author H. Joseph Hopkins’s picture book biography The
Tree Lady is delightful for reading aloud, particularly with the repeating
refrain “…and Kate did” as she met challenge after challenge. Jill McElmurry’s
generous, joyful illustrations show just the right amount of detail, including
identified tree varieties, and artfully support the story of a remarkable
woman’s passion and accomplishments. Ages 5-10.
