THE OLD MAN WHO TALKEDTO THE TREES    By Diana Baird

        Willie walks the grounds of the Idaho State Capitol building everyday. He has his special bench near one of the three trees that were planted by three U. .S Presidents. 

        Willie’s bond with these trees started in 1911 when he was a little boy.  With the renovation of the State Capitol, Willie’s  friends, Buck & Sugar learn that they will be leaving their longtime locations to live inside the capitol building. Their relationship with Willie takes on  new life.

        The special Edition also includes the history and photos of the wood carvings and the Capitol’s renovation.

* Some of the items made from these trees are on display in the 4th floor of the Idaho State Capitol building including the three Presidential Busts
        
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

            Diana Baird, an Idahoan,  spent many years serving as a foreign missionary in Papua, Indonesia. Her writing career started when she developed literacy stories for a tribal group in a remote jungle location.
        Diana and her husband Ron, live in Meridian, Idaho. She is the grandmother of five grand kids. "Mama Dai Fell Through the Floor" is the author’s first nonfiction novel.
            To arrange for Diana & Willie to visit your classroom, call 208-577-8396 or e-mail Diana:  di.beyondcultures.org

Here is a current press release

Children's Book Released at the Rededication Ceremony of the Idaho State Capitol
        January 9, 2010 was the official rededication ceremony of the Idaho State Capitol after two years of renovation and restoration. Local author, Diana Baird released a fictional children's book about the president's trees removed from the Capitol grounds entitled "The Old Man Who Talked to the Trees."
 
        Baird's book is about an elderly old man named Willie who walks the grounds of the Capitol every day, visiting with his friends, three special trees that were planted by U.S. Presidents. Willie breaks the news to them that they are going to be moved, but Idaho wood crafters will be making special things from their wood to be displayed inside the Capitol Building.

        The children's book,"The Old Man Who Talked to the Trees", was actually written two years ago by Baird,  but had to be revised when the presidential trees were unable to be transplanted. About 40 wood crafters were commissioned by the Idaho State Capitol Commission to make a variety of items from the trees.

        Readers will be walked through three stages in the book. First, the children's book about Willie and the trees, then the story of how the trees were saved and preserved with photos of some of the items made from the trees and finally, a pictorial view of the actual renovation of the Capitol from 2007-2009.

        "It was such a thrill to hold the beautiful violin made from the Benjamin Harrison tree" says Baird. "It was so exciting to hear it played at the grand opening of the Capitol". Idaho State Representative Max Black also showed me three vases that had been carved from the Ohio Buckeye tree planted by President William Taft in 1911. The public will be able to view these amazing items for many years to come."
        This book has not only the children's story and teacher activities, but a story from Representative Black about how the trees were preserved, stored and saved for the woodcrafters. Photos and historical information was provided by the Idaho State Historical Society. Beautiful aerial shots of the Capitol during construction and renovation photos are included. This book is considered a Special Commemorative Edition and will be a collectors item for all Idahoans. 

               For more information about "The Old Man Who Talked to the Trees" by Diana Baird or to have a classroom visit, contact  the author at di.beyondcultures.org ; www.presidentstrees.com or www.borderlinepublishing.com.

Thanks and call or e-mail me if you need further information

Diana