The Wish Trees

“Planting a tree is an act of hope. And that is a message our children need to hear now more than ever.” 

“The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place” by author and children’s environmental education advocate Andrea Koehle Jones is a wonderful addition to Earth Day reading lists for children. This inspiring and uplifting book captures the essence of environmental stewardship and empowers young readers to take action in making positive changes for our planet.

One of the best children’s Earth Day books

With its whimsical storytelling and captivating illustrations by New York Times best-selling illustrator Alicia Padrón, “The Wish Trees” invites children on a magical journey around the world, where they discover the joy of tree planting and the power of making wishes for a better future.

More than just a story, “The Wish Trees” features powerful social-emotional learning (SEL). It serves as a global community educational tool, teaching children about the importance of trees, their role in environmental conservation, and how even the smallest actions can make a big difference.

The inclusion of a bonus section on “How to Plant a Wish Tree” provides practical guidance for young readers eager to get involved in tree planting initiatives themselves and with their community.

What’s even more commendable is that 100% of the profits from the book are dedicated to children’s environmental education and tree planting non-profits, such as The ChariTree Foundation, further amplifying its impact and contribution to a greener, healthier planet.

Overall, “The Wish Trees” is a heartwarming and empowering book that instills a love for nature, encourages environmental activism, and inspires children to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.

Download the Kindle edition.

Best Sellers Rank: Feb 2024 – Amazon Kindle Store

  • #1 in Children’s Forest & Tree Books (Free in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Children’s Environment & Ecology Books (Free in Kindle Store)

Best Sellers Rank: October 2021 – Amazon Kindle Store

  • #2 in Children’s Forest & Tree Books (Paid in Kindle Store)

The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place

  • Created as part of a humanitarian tree project in Africa.
  • Beautiful text and illustrations pair to show the wonderful ways children around the world can connect with nature through a single wish tree.
  • The text is poetic and soothing, but simple enough for young listeners and young independent readers. A sweet environmental children’s book that introduces children to the wonder of trees and the joy of tree planting.
  • Written by award-winning children’s climate education advocate, climate journalist and United Nations Climate Observer Andrea Koehle Jones.
  • Illustrated by New York Times bestseller Alicia Padrón.
  • Non-fiction STEM back matter shows kids how to plant a tree and make a wish for the world.
  • A great gift for nature-loving kids and a wonderful addition to any classroom, library, or home.
  • 100% of book profits donated to climate education opportunities for children and youth around the world.

Reviews of The Wish Trees

The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place

Inspiring and uplifting, The Wish Trees is rooted in the idea that every child can help make the world a better place. This whimsical children’s book introduces young readers to the fun of tree planting as they meet kids around the globe planting Wish Trees and making wishes.

Kids will discover the wonder of trees and enjoy searching for different animals and tree names with each new page. Thoughtful, empowering and beautifully written by journalist and children’s environmental education advocate Andrea Koehle Jones, The Wish Trees features illustrations by New York Times best-selling illustrator Alicia Padrón. The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place is inspiring little tree planters and wishers everywhere.

Learn how to plant a tree
Young children will fall in love with trees, learn how trees can help our planet and begin to understand that they are never too little to help the world. This July 4, 2021 edition of The Wish Trees includes a bonus: “How to Plant a Wish Tree.

“In today’s tumultuous world, The Wish Trees, tells a gentle story filled with a love for trees and their meaning for the young among us — if they wish. Beautifully illustrated and scripted—it’s a gift to be cherished, lifelong. I wish it had been available when my daughters were early in life so they could have planted a Wish Tree to help make the world a better place.” — Mike Hoffmann, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University dedicated to confronting the climate change challenge we now face. October 7, 2021.

“When it comes to the environment, everyone focuses on how we ought to reduce our harm. It is so refreshing to have a book that shows our children instead of causing less damage, we should and can, do more good. Planting a tree is an act of hope. And that is a message our children need to hear now more than ever. This book, so beautifully illustrated and poignantly written, empowers our children to create a better world. A book that teaches us the importance of not merely sustaining, but of regenerating.”— Jacob Rodenburg, an award-winning educator, author, executive director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor education center, and instructor in environmental education at Trent University. October 4, 2021.

“Thank you so much for your book THE WISH TREES. My young audience spontaneously started suggesting their own ideas for wish trees before we were even half way through the book, and the W-i-s-h-h-h parts were fun to read out loud!” — Natasha Zimmers, Outdoor Educator, September 8, 2022.

“Beautiful illustrations and text pair to show the wonderful ways children can connect with nature through a single wish tree. The text is poetic and soothing, but simple enough for young listeners and young independent readers. A great gift for nature-loving kids and a wonderful addition to any classroom, library, or home.” — Kate Allen Fox, author, July 17, 2021 (Amazon + Goodreads)

“I love this book. I love the warmth of the illustrations, I love the language of the book and I love the feeling that I have when reading it. This is certainly a feel-good book that focuses on wishes we make throughout our life… simple, basic wishes… pure and genuine. We wish for shelter, friendship, memories, and yes, mountain bikes too!” – Heather  (continued on the right)

Great book for a wide range of ages
“This book provides beautiful illustrations and text in a simplistic yet educational format that teaches children the importance of nature and how each person can play a critical role in the future of our earth. Would highly recommend this book!” – Hilda (Amazon)

I LOVE The Wish Trees!
“A wonderful book with a beautiful and timely message! This book is absolutely on my go to gift list for kids and new parents. Highly recommend!” – Sue (Amazon)

“This is a wonderful book for all ages, with an inspiring and timely theme of caring for the world we live in. Young children especially will love the gentle story and enjoy the colourful illustrations. I highly recommend The Wish Trees!” – Deb (Goodreads)

“The Wish Tree is a wonderful book, inspiring children to think about how trees keep our planet healthy. The idea of a wish tree and the beautiful illustrations is inspirational in educating children. All proceeds go to environmental education. Well worth reading to your child and then planting a wish tree.” – Helen (Goodreads)

“Everyone should plant a wish tree! What a beautiful book and a beautiful inspiration! My granddaughters and I will be planting wish trees. One for each of them so that as they grow up we can also be blessed with the beauty of their trees!” – Charla (Amazon + Goodreads)

Children’s tree planting book beautifully introduces children to the wonder of trees and the power of tree planting.

“This is a wonderful book that introduces children to the importance of trees to our planet and the idea that you are never too little to help the world.

My children LOVE this global tree planting book. The text is simple enough for the youngest listeners and early readers. I love that The Wish Trees is thoughtfully written by a children’s environmental education advocate and beautifully illustrated by a New York Times best-selling illustrator.

I highly recommend The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place to babies, young children, parents, teachers, everyone…. And I love that the author gives away so many copies to children and supports children’s environmental education projects around the world. Inspiring!” – David (Goodreads)

Wonderful environmental theme in a book kids enjoy. Postive and uplifting theme. Beautifully illustrated. Printed on recycled paper. Be sure to check out the Love Trees website where, for a small donation, a tree will be planted for your special child, teacher, etc. and that person will receive a “tree certificate” with their name on it.” – Cirroc (Goodreads)

A lovely book which will make you do something good after reading it. A book with message for all. Its quite amusing and the illustrations are fantastic.” – Famma (Goodreads)

“This reminds me…I want to plant a tree in our garden. Such simple but environmental and inspirational book.” – Vim

“I was looking for a book for my niece , so that she can improve her English reading skill. I think the book is amazing with its simple sentences , and beautiful drawings. Thank you.” – Halal (Goodreads)

“Fantastic book! I purchased this book as a sample to view before purchasing a larger quantity as part of a holiday gift. The graphics are great and the unique stories/characters on each page were heartwarming. I recommend this book for all children!” – Melanie (Goodreads)

“This is a very cute book about trees and the wishes we make when planting them. It’s also a book that invites readers to plant a tree and is therefor a very educational book because it shows children the importance trees have in our life. – Catarina (Goodreads)

“I loved it… I have a two year old girl and read a small paragraph before she goes to sleep. I finished and and we enjoyed every second of it. It has so much imagination and very simple. I want a tree. ♥” – Rosario (Goodreads)