Luna and Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest
Illustrated by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
“Have you ever climbed a tree? And stayed there ALL night? Once there was a girl who LIVED in a tree—for over TWO years!”
Luna & Me is a picturebook retelling of Julia Butterfly Hill’s fight to save a redwood forest. Butterfly is depicted as a young, nature-loving child who forms a special bond with a redwood tree named Luna. One day, Butterfly enters the forest and notices that Luna and all the other trees are marked with big blue ‘X’s. When she realizes this means they are set for destruction, Butterfly formulates a bold plan: “if I stay with Luna, no one will cut her down!” That’s exactly what she does. For over two years, Butterfly lives in Luna’s canopy, braving harsh weather and other tough obstacles. She remains true to her mission, and after 738 days, she receives the news that Luna is finally safe from harm. Butterfly is finally able to leave her position and celebrate with all her supporters.
Butterfly’s tree-sitting stunt serves as an inspiring example of peaceful eco-activism. The language in Luna & Me is simple but powerful, allowing readers of all levels to connect with its message. Students can learn how nonviolent direct action can effectively bring attention to critical issues. By acting civilly, Butterfly garnered admiration from followers worldwide who eventually came to love the redwood trees just as much as she did. All her motivations seemed to be raised around a central question: “Don’t trees have a right to just be?” By portraying Luna as a living being with a name, personality, and thoughts, the story showcases the aliveness of nature and affirms its inherent right to protection. The illustrations, created with a blend of watercolor and other media, further emphasize this message as well, enriching the storytelling by emphasizing the gentle tranquility of the forest.
A profound message Butterfly shared is “Luna and the ancient forests have so much to teach us – if we listen.” For Butterfly, this meant gaining a deeper understanding of nature’s intricate interconnectedness. As she observed the crucial role that redwood trees play in providing habitats, her determination to protect the redwood ecosystem only grew. She would not only be saving the trees but also the countless plant and animal species that rely on them! Although her mission required immense time and resilience, to this day, Butterfly’s story continues to inspire as a powerful symbol of determined environmental activism. Luna and Me reminds readers of the importance of connecting with the natural world and protecting it in every way that we can.
©2025 ClimateLit (Alexandra Delacruz)
More:
- The author’s website features a blog post explaining the inspiration behind the book.
- Luna and Me Kirkus Review
- More About Julia Butterfly Hill
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2015
Audience: Ages 4-7
ISBN: 978-0805099768
Pages: 40
Format: Biographies, Nonfiction, Picturebooks
Topics: Activism, Deforestation, Earth Care, Ecosystems, Forests, Habitat Loss, Habitats, Interconnectedness, Kinship Care, Logging, Nature's Aliveness, Nature's Voice, Nearby Nature, Non-Human Personhood, Redwood Forests, Rights of Nature, Trees




