The City Ever Green By Bonnie Paruch

Recently, students from Mrs. Meyers’ and Mrs. Weyenberg’s third-grade classes eagerly joined me in reviewing The City Ever Green by Bonnie Paruch.

The story begins in a lush forest filled with towering trees, winding rivers, and abundant wildlife. At its heart stands the great Mother Oak, a majestic tree that provides shelter for the forest and a beloved play space for children.

But as time passes, the nearby city expands, slowly consuming the forest.

Even the mighty Mother Oak succumbs to the relentless growth.

Determined to restore what was lost, the children take action.

They gather acorns from the fallen Mother Oak and plant them, hoping to grow a new forest.

Their passion inspires the community, and soon, neighbors join in, helping to replant trees, cultivate gardens, and welcome back bees, butterflies, and wildflowers.

Among the new growth, a tiny oak sprouts from one of Mother Oak’s acorns, symbolizing renewal.

The once-gray city transforms, thriving with greenery once more.
Through their efforts, the children learn a valuable lesson: they are an integral part of the great web of life.

As we reflected on the book, the students were particularly captivated by the illustrations.

They noticed how the colors changed to reflect the story’s mood — vibrant and full of life in the beginning, shifting to monochromatic shades of black and gray as the city overtook nature, then returning to bright, lively hues as the forest was reborn.

This sparked a wonderful discussion on how illustrators use color to enhance storytelling.

One Westwood student shared that they loved how the children were the ones leading change in this story.

We talked about how, so often, it is adults who are recognized for making a difference and how refreshing it was to read a book where kids took the initiative to create real impact.

“The children taught us that we are part of a great web of life, connected to nature, sharing one world, one home for us all.”

What a powerful closing message to remind us that no action is too small and that anyone — no matter their age — can make a difference.