A legendary tale written by Jean Giono in the 1950s, sumptuously illustrated, and with an introduction by Michael Morpurgo This is an optimistic tale of a man who brings back to life a waterless and desolate valley. Over a period of many years, the shepherd Elzéard Bouffier plants hundreds of hectares of oak, beech, and birch seeds, transforming an inhabitable region into a thriving forest. This he did alone and, by choice, without any help. A beautiful story of a modest man who did something truly remarkable, this is a tale to read again and again at any age.