This new memoir takes readers on a walk through the trees as Mirocha revives her dad’s legacy leading Como Park Tree Trek, an educational, tree ID event he initiated in the park. Included in her personal narrative is the story of becoming a MN Master Naturalist and how that added a scientific perspective to her career as a visual artist. The writing seamlessly weaves science, philosophy, and observations on the beauty of the world around us into Mirocha’s very personal story of grief and loss. In this way, the reader travels beyond the personal into the universal connection we all have with nature, and the vital importance of nature—and of course trees!— in our lives.

Stephanie Mirocha grew up climbing trees and exploring the city park across from her childhood home. Her creative expression not only takes form in her passion for writing but also translates into her career as a visual artist. In addition to creating the art for this book, she has also illustrated four children’s picture books connecting children to nature. Frog in the House won the 2016 Giverny Award for a science picture book in English, and My Little Book of Bald Eagles won 1st place, Juvenile Nonfiction, in the 2010 Next Gen Indie Book Awards. She and her scientist father shared a poetic heart and a love for nature, each informing and supporting the other throughout their close relationship. Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Philosophy, Stephanie followed her free spirit and embraced the unconventional life of an artist after moving to Aitkin, a small town in north central Minnesota. This is her first written book. Her business website is https://stephaniemirocha.com/.