Paul Bunyan is a folk hero whose story is known to many. This novella, intended for young adults, takes that story in a new direction. Readers are introduced to John, Paul's son, who becomes concerned with environmental issues and vows to do something about them. Along with his friends, he sets out to plant a tree for every one his famous father cut down. And that's a great deal of trees because, as many know, Paul Bunyan could cut down 22 trees with a single swipe of his axe!
About the Author: Al Aho Andrews was born in Cook, Minnesota, surrounded by the Superior National Forest. During his sophomore year in high school, Al was influenced by the vision of his high school agriculture instructor, Anthony Grebenc, to create the legend of John Bunyan, son of the legendary Paul Bunyan, who would plant a tree for each one his dad cut down. Mr. Grebenc dreamed of having a granite statue of John Bunyan embracing the entrance to his hometown. That vision and dream lay dormant until Dr. Andrews went to visit his dying instructor 40 years later in a nursing home in Cook. Mr. Grebenc had suffered a stroke. He couldn't speak and it was unclear whether or not he recognized his former student or whether he could hear and understand what was being said. In hopes that Mr. Grebenc could understand, Dr. Andrews made a promise to his former teacher that he would make his vision and dream of John Bunyan come true. Dr. Andrews went on to earn his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. In 2001 he retired after spending 43 years in education as a teacher, administrator, and university instructor. Also in 2001 Dr. Andrews created the Paul Bunyan Foundation, a non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to creating the legend of John Bunyan and eventually having the statue of John Bunyan constructed at the entrance to Cook, Minnesota. The dream includes creating a Paul Bunyan museum and library in his hometown. Jean Giano, the French author of The Man Who Planted Trees, also influenced Dr. Andrews. The Man Who Planted Trees is a fictional account of Elzeard Bouffier who planted thousands of trees at the base of the French Alps above the City of Provence. Even though it is fiction, school children in France were so taken with the story that they made Jean Giano's story come true. In the same way, Dr. Andrews would like to influence American students and their parents to make the dream of John Bunyan come true by helping to plant a tree for each one cut down.