The Great Oak Tree
Published on 8. December 2021
Book
Hardback
32 pages
978-1-83874-963-7 (ISBN)
Description
Discover the enchanting world of nature's resilience and the unbreakable bonds between a curious blackbird, a wise owl and a steadfast guardian tree in this beautifully illustrated, lyrical picture book.
When a little blackbird questions why an old oak tree just stands there doing nothing, a gentle journey of discovery begins. We see all the ways in which the tree is, in fact, very busy. We learn about how central the tree is central to its ecosystem - the many ways in which it offers shelter and sustenance to the wildlife all around. And when the tree itself is under attack, the blackbird is quick to help defend it.
When a little blackbird questions why an old oak tree just stands there doing nothing, a gentle journey of discovery begins. We see all the ways in which the tree is, in fact, very busy. We learn about how central the tree is central to its ecosystem - the many ways in which it offers shelter and sustenance to the wildlife all around. And when the tree itself is under attack, the blackbird is quick to help defend it.
Reviews / Votes
"A wonderful, gentle story woven through the seasons and packed with fascinating details about the ecosystem of an ancient oak. This book will delight young readers"- Catherine Emmet, The Rainbow Flamingo
Featured in CBC's Hot Off The Press Reading List, September 2025
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 3 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 272 mm
Width: 230 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight
458 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83874-963-7 (9781838749637)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Persons
Zoe Armstrong grew up in Oxford and Paris, where she spent a lot of time making crepes and reading the books of Maurice Sendak and Arnold Lobel. She trained as a journalist and has worked as a reporter, a teacher and as a publicist for a large animal charity. She is a graduate of the Golden Egg Academy's Picture Book Programme. In 2018, she won a SCBWI contest to have her work illustrated live at the Bologna Children's Book Fair and in 2019, she received the SCBWI?Margaret Carey Scholarship for Picture Book Writers.? Currently, Zoe lives in Brighton with her young daughter.
Amelie Videlo is a French-Mauritian illustrator based in the United Kingdom. Family and nostalgia from her childhood inspire her most. She loves making pictures of rich flora and playful characters. She is a prolific illustrator in her home country, where she has published dozens of books. Internationally, she has been commissioned to work for clients such as Beaming Books, Usborne, Nosy Crow, and Zillow Group.
Amelie Videlo is a French-Mauritian illustrator based in the United Kingdom. Family and nostalgia from her childhood inspire her most. She loves making pictures of rich flora and playful characters. She is a prolific illustrator in her home country, where she has published dozens of books. Internationally, she has been commissioned to work for clients such as Beaming Books, Usborne, Nosy Crow, and Zillow Group.