Jean Giono's inspiring little book "The Man Who Planted Trees" explores the contrast between earth husbandry and war-mongering, succeeding on nearly every level. The true power in the work is in it's simplicity, mirrored in Michael McCurdy's wonderfully detailed black-and-white wood engravings which illustrate the work.
In a well-written afterword, Norma Goodrich explores Giono's linkage of literature as a balm for hopelessness with a dream to reforest the earth (which may sound like a bit of a stretch, and requires a descent to humanistic sappiness, alas).
This book should appeal to readers of all ages.