Even though Earth Day and Arbor Day have passed, their message continues to grow in our hearts all year long—just like the real-life tree that inspired my picture book, The Tree of Hope, which is perfect Earth Day picture book for kids and young readers exploring nature’s deeper lessons.

That’s why I was so honored to see this Earth Day picture book for kids featured in @fiercebymitu’s article by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris: “18 Books by Latino Authors That Prove Every Day Is Earth Day.” To be listed alongside so many stories that celebrate both culture and the environment is a moment I’ll always cherish.

But this story isn’t just about a tree. It’s about what trees can teach us—about loss, resilience, and the courage to grow again.

Trees Teach Us About Resilience

As a Certified Financial Educator (CFEI) and published children’s author, I often think about how nature and stories reflect many of the same truths: that growth isn’t always easy, that storms will come, and that our roots matter.

Trees are powerful symbols of:

• 🌱 Resilience – they bend but don’t break.
• 🌳 Community – they thrive through connection.
• ☀️ Hope – they bloom again after loss.

These values are deeply woven into the heart of my book, which was inspired by a real and remarkable story from my childhood home of Puerto Rico.

The Real Story Behind the Book

The jagüey blanco, also known as a banyan tree, stood proudly for over a century near the San Juan Gate in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was magnificent—huge, beloved, and deeply rooted in the community.

Then, on September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria changed everything. The storm tore through the island, causing devastation on every level. The banyan tree was among the casualties—uprooted and dragged into the sea. Like many others, I was heartbroken and felt a deep emotional loss.

But what happened next was nothing short of miraculous.

Through community effort and sheer determination, the tree was rescued and replanted. It began to grow again…slowly, powerfully. That act of resilience—that quiet, steady return to life—became the seed of my debut picture book.

A Story Rooted in Emotion and Community

This book is a love letter to Puerto Rico, to resilience, and to every child who needs to believe in hope.

With breathtaking illustrations by Juan Manuel Moreno, The Tree of Hope invites young readers to see that even when life feels uprooted, something beautiful can still grow.

It’s also deeply personal.

One of the most emotional scenes in the book shows a little girl placing her hand on the roots of the fallen tree. When I wrote that, I was thinking of my mother.

In her final days, I held her hand and massaged her feet, as she drifted between worlds. That moment, like the moment the tree was rescued, reminds me that love never leaves us. It just transforms. And that’s a lesson children understand far more intuitively than we give them credit for.

Writing this book was a healing act….

Publishing it was an act of courage (thanks to my wonderful publisher Beaming Books).

And sharing it now is an act of connection.

Every Day Is Earth Day

I’m so grateful that my book was highlighted during Earth Day. But truly, its message lives on far beyond a calendar date.

My hope is that this Earth Day picture book for kids inspires young readers to:

✔️ Love and respect the environment as part of their home and heritage
✔️ See trees and nature as teachers, not just scenery
✔️ Understand that storms don’t always end the story, but can start a new chapter

Whether you’re reading it in a classroom, library, or curled up beneath a tree, I hope this story plants seeds of curiosity, compassion, and courage. Because the earth isn’t just where we live, it’s part of who we are. And learning to honor and protect it is a lesson worth repeating, every single day.

Want to Read or Share This Book?

If you’re looking for a meaningful Earth Day picture book for kids—one that blends environmental themes with emotional strength—I invite you to explore The Tree of Hope.

Because Earth Day may be one day on the calendar, but hope, connection, and nature’s resilience are worth celebrating every day.

🌱 Learn more and/or order your copy at: My Author Website

XOXO,

Anna

Anna Orenstein-Cardona, Author & Certified Financial Educator

Anna Orenstein-Cardona is a bilingual Certified Financial Educator (CFEI), Wealth Coach, and Children’s Author. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and spent over two decades working in finance in the USA and Europe, before turning to writing for children. 

Her debut children’s book, THE TREE OF HOPE (published by Beaming Books), has received significant acclaim. It earned a prestigious SLJ star, was named one of Bank Street College of Education’s “Best Children’s Books of the Year,” and was awarded “Most Inspirational” Children’s Book by the International Latino Book Awards. Additionally, in 2024, it was chosen as one of the top 4 picture books about “spectacular trees” by The Week Junior (USA).

Anna is an alumna of Faber Academy and an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), PB Rising Stars, and LAs Musas.

She shares her passion for financial literacy, creativity, and empowerment through her financial education & coaching business Wear Your Money Crown®. 

You can learn more about Anna and her Author work at www.annaorensteincardona.com or follow her on Instagram (@wearyourmoneycrown) and Twitter (@BoricuaAnna).