Books That Grow Empathy, Action, and Hope for the World.
Andrea Koehle Jones is a Canadian children’s book author, journalist, and award-winning environmental education advocate. Her books help children, parents, teachers, librarians, and nature-loving families grow empathy, environmental awareness, and real-world action.
The Wish Trees and Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree THERE! are joyful, classroom-friendly picture books about tree planting, problem-solving, friendship, and helping the world.
“NED HAS THE TREE PLANTING ZOOMIES! This is a playful approach to the topic of conservation, sure to delight young readers. Ned is a pup we can root for and he just desperately wants to be a tree planting hero. His heart is in the right place…but sometimes he just can’t help himself. Shenanigans ensue — one should probably avoid planting a tree on a bear, LOL. Cheers to Andrea and Erin on this entertaining picture book that will get kids excited to go out and dig some holes of their own (and plant some trees). The backmatter is a practical cherry on top, helping kids take action after reading.” — Brian Gehrlein, author of The Book of Rules
“A cute, fun, and practical story! — In this story, Ned, the dog, takes us on a fun journey as he learns practical lessons in planting trees and teamwork. I love the emotional connection this story builds for the trees — for example, giving a tree a hug, seeing it as “your new buddy,” and tucking the newly planted tree in for bed so it feels “snug and safe.” The practical tips at the back of the book for planting trees are clear, helpful, and memorable. The advice to “check that the roots are spread out” is a really important point. (Unfortunately, we have a tree that didn’t benefit from this sage advice, and it’s now causing problems!) The author clearly has a great love for nature and practical knowledge about trees. This book will help communicate these to children in a fun and engaging way — and may even leave them wanting to plant their own “little buddy.” — Tim Schaffter, Education Consultant
“I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful picture book, in which Ned, a lovable pup with big dreams of helping plant trees, doesn’t quite know where to start! Told with humor and playful rhyme, Ned’s whimsical journey will have kids giggling while they root for him to figure it out.
The illustrations are just as much fun as the story: bright, pleasant scenes of tree-planting in action, plus a clever hidden-sapling search on nearly every page that keeps young readers looking closely and turning back for more.
I’m always on the lookout for good read-alouds for my grandchildren that promote environmental awareness in a fun way, and this book fits the bill perfectly. Along with a fun story, it offers practical tips on how and where to plant a tree, so families can take Ned’s adventure straight into their own backyard — and avoid his mix-ups! A little research beforehand (what tree suits your spot, and where it’ll actually thrive) makes for another great activity to share with little ones, and ensures your planting day goes a lot smoother than Ned’s did.
At the back of the book, kids are also invited to draw a picture of a tree they’ve planted in their community and share it, turning story time into a real-world project.
I look forward to reading this book with my grandkids and planting a tree together. I recommend it as a warm, funny, and genuinely useful book for budding young environmentalists.” — Diana Schaffter, author of Armando and the Amazing Animal Race
“It’s a fun and charming read! The story is playful but also sneaks in great lessons about caring for the environment. The illustrations are adorable. My kids love the book, and me too. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling and wanting to plant a tree as well!”
— Jenny
Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree THERE!
Dig into this fun, interactive picture book and join the messy joy of planting a tree with Ned, a wildly enthusiastic puppy with big tree-planting dreams.
With the TREE-mendous help of friends, Ned learns how and where to plant trees. If this muddy puppy can do it, so can you. Get ready for some EPIC diggity-digging!
This laugh-out-loud children’s book pairs lively illustrations by Erin Mercer with lyrical text, a repeating rhyming refrain, teamwork, problem-solving, and a message kids can carry into the real world.
Perfect for Families, Classrooms, Libraries, and Earth Day
For Parents
A funny, warm read-aloud that helps children connect kindness, nature, animals, and the joy of helping the planet.
For Teachers
Find hidden seedlings on every page while discovering tree-planting tips and learning to identify labelled tree species. A classroom-friendly story for Earth Day, Arbor Day, environmental education, social-emotional learning, science units, and tree-planting projects.
For Environmentalists
A hopeful children’s book that turns climate care into something playful, practical, and empowering for young readers.
Why This Book Matters
When children read stories about planting trees, teamwork, and caring for the Earth, they begin to see themselves as helpers. Andrea Koehle Jones writes books that turn environmental education into imagination, laughter, optimism and meaningful action.
The Wish Trees
The Wish Trees is a gentle, inspiring children’s book about planting trees, compassion, and imagining a better world. It is ideal for families, teachers, libraries, nature programs, and young readers who love animals and the planet.
This interactive story combines tree planting, hope, and a hands-on nature activity that helps children make a difference. It is for little tree planters and wishers everywhere.
In The Wish Trees, children discover that even small actions—like planting a tree and making a wish—can grow into meaningful change.
Through a beautifully illustrated journey around the world, young readers meet children planting Wish Trees, caring for the Earth, and sharing their wishes for the world. This uplifting nonfiction book helps kids understand their connection to nature—and their ability to make a difference.
The book includes a simple, hands-on activity: How to Plant Your Own Wish Tree.
It offers children a meaningful and approachable first step toward caring for the planet.
The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place
- Beautiful text and illustrations show the wonderful ways children around the world can connect with nature through a single wish tree.
- The text is poetic and soothing while remaining accessible to young listeners and independent readers. It introduces children to the wonder of trees and the joy of tree planting.
- Written by children’s climate education advocate, climate journalist, and United Nations Climate Observer Andrea Koehle Jones.
- Illustrated by New York Times bestselling illustrator Alicia Padrón.
- Nonfiction STEM back matter shows children how to plant a tree and make a wish for the world.
- A thoughtful gift for nature-loving children and a meaningful addition to classrooms, libraries, and homes.
“My young audience spontaneously started suggesting ideas for wish trees before we were even halfway through the book, and the W-i-s-h-h-h… parts were fun to read out loud!”
— Natasha Zimmers, Outdoor Educator
100% of the author’s book profits support children’s environmental education and tree-planting initiatives.
