Allyson Jayne Miller

The Cougar, the Wolf, and a Tree Named Albert Allyson Jayne Miller

For most people, there's little difference between taking a gift that is offered and gratefully receiving a gift. But for author Allyson Jayne Miller, a compassionate conservation bioregionalist, the difference is immense and holds the key to the planet's survival.

In this wise and beautiful story, Miller shares the importance of living sustainably with kindness and compassion-to gently receive from the Earth what it offers instead of greedily taking from it what we want.

Demonstrating the concept of trophic cascades-how ecosystems collapse when key predators are threatened-this story follows Hope, a bright young girl who sets out to save the natural world around her. Along the way, she meets a beautiful cast of characters, including Albert, an old-growth tree; Solomon, a wise old owl who knows the language of trees; Kumulipo, the stately deer; and Nanabushu, the mischievous mountain sheep with a Scottish accent.

Named after ecological studies and indigenous cultures, each of these characters plays an important role in Hope's attempts to mitigate the damage done by humans upon the environment-and together they create a beautiful tale that will open the eyes and the hearts of children of all ages.