The great naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, takes his young friends berry picking near Walden Pond and turns a mishap into a gentle lesson about nature. Based on a true story, this delightful and beautifully illustrated work of "reality fiction" uses a technique inspired by Louisa May Alcott, who is portrayed as a child in the book. Louisa was a frequent visitor to Henry David Thoreau's famous cabin at Walden Pond and went berry picking with Mr. Thoreau on many occasions. Thoreau taught Louisa a great deal about the natural world and also about the rich world of the imagination. Sally Sanford has deftly woven these strands into the book, and Caldecott Honor winner Ilse Plume's images capture the enduring beauty and tranquility of Walden Pond and its neighboring woods.