The City Tree | Shira Boss & Lorena Alvarez

Dani lives on a city block carpeted with concrete—until a street tree moves in.

The tree brings the wonders of nature to Dani’s doorstep and is good company through the days and seasons. But it will need help to thrive…

This love letter to the many gifts of trees reminds us to take care of our neighbours—even those with roots, branches, and leaves.

In The City Tree, Shira Boss explores how a single tree can transform an entire community, offering shade, habitat, and a sense of belonging. The narrative gently introduces children to urban ecology, showing how plants and animals adapt to life among buildings and people. Lorena Alvarez’s vibrant artwork captures the energy of city life while celebrating the quiet magic of nature. Each page reveals new details that invite young readers to observe, question, and appreciate the natural world. The book blends environmental education with an uplifting message about connection and stewardship.

About the Authors
Shira Boss lives in New York City, home to 234 species of street trees! Her favourite is the dawn redwood, a conifer that drops its needles in fall. She learned about the special lives of street trees from the urban arborist Bob Redman. Shira rote about Bob’s childhood in her picture book Up in the Leaves: The true Story of the Central Park Treehouses, A Junior Library Guild Selection. The couple shares their tiny Upper West Side apartment with two sons, one whippet, about 150 library books at a trime, and nine species of trees in their rooftop garden.

Lorena Alvarez lives in Bogota, Colombia, home of bright colourful flowers and birds that inspire her to draw and paint every day. Her favourite tree is the Sauco (elderberry tree). which is believes to bring good luck, and its flowers and berries can be used to make a very tasty homemade cold syrup. Lorena’s work has appeared in children’s books and independant publications. She is the author-illustratir of the comic books Nightlights and Hicota. Lorena works at her home studio with the loyal assistance of a black cat and just started to grow her own garden.