I was sitting on my back porch, which we call the blue room because of the blue carpet in it, and looking out the big screened windows at a tree. A tree that at one time was only a small bush. I remembered how small that tree used to be and a red bird, a cardinal, a mature male, alighting upon that at the timeaEUR"a very green tree. I thought that strange because I've witnessed birds alighting on trees of their same color. Time and again, I'd see that happening throughout my life. Until one day I was sitting on that same porch looking out those big screen windows. I noticed that a very green tree had turned to a bright-red-and-orange brilliance! Suddenly it dawned on me that, that red bird, that cardinal, knew all this time that the tree was redaEUR"thus the title It Is a Red Tree. Soon after my realization, I was writing this, my first children's book. It was a joyful experience, and I learned a lot. I hope you enjoy this book.