The Miracle Forest: A True Story (Paperback or Softback)

American Book Festival Best Book Award Silver Nautilus Award Moonbeam Silver Award Green Earth Book Award 2025 Readers' Choice 2025 Finalist Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award North American Environmental Association Recommended

A true story of restoration—told in English and Spanish.

In the desolate plains of eastern Colombia, a community called Gaviotas did something scientists said was impossible. Under the vision of Paolo Lugari, they planted trees on a barren savanna, built clean-energy systems from scratch, and watched a rainforest—gone for thousands of years—grow back to life.

The Miracle Forest / El Bosque Milagroso tells that story in both English and Spanish, side by side, with vibrant illustrations that capture the transformation of the land and the people who refused to give up on it. Nonfiction for ages 8–12 that offers something rare: a true environmental story with a genuinely hopeful ending.

"This beautiful, bilingual picture book offers an extraordinary true story of the miracles nature can provide when we do our best to restore the environment. This book will inspire children, parents, guardians, and teachers worldwide!"
—Marci Shimoff, New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason

"This true story is an exciting example of what is possible when we commit to realizing our dreams against all odds. May this book inspire all who read it—young and old—to restore our world with unstoppable creativity!"
—Cynthia Jurs, author of Summoned by the Earth

Ideal for bilingual families, dual-language classrooms, and anyone seeking stories of environmental hope. Free lesson plans in English and Spanish are available at 12willowspress.com.

 Ellen Dee Davidson has lived in the redwood forests of Humboldt County, California for the past 32 years. She's fallen in love with the ancient trees and wants to share the beauty, magic, healing and inspiration that undisturbed wild places offer. When we restore nature, we restore ourselves.