The Family Tree
Published on 30. September 2025
Book
Hardback
48 pages
978-1-6659-4837-1 (ISBN)
Description
A “gently humorous and thoroughly recognizable” (School Library Journal, starred review) picture book meditation on what makes a home, what makes a family, and how a magical tree can hold everything—and everyone—together.
Nothing ever really happens at Penny’s house. It’s all hurry in and hurry out again. But then, something wonderful and unexpected appears that gets everyone’s attention. It starts out small, just a seed, then grows and grows until it’s simply too big to ignore: a tree!
Every day, the tree gets a little taller, a little leafier, and a lot more special. And every day, as they care for the tree, Penny’s family starts to hurry out less and stay in more. Could something else be shifting in Penny’s house, something much more than a tree?
Nothing ever really happens at Penny’s house. It’s all hurry in and hurry out again. But then, something wonderful and unexpected appears that gets everyone’s attention. It starts out small, just a seed, then grows and grows until it’s simply too big to ignore: a tree!
Every day, the tree gets a little taller, a little leafier, and a lot more special. And every day, as they care for the tree, Penny’s family starts to hurry out less and stay in more. Could something else be shifting in Penny’s house, something much more than a tree?
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
Picture book
Illustrations
f-c jkt (coated; sfx: spot gloss uv, emboss, spot gritty matte UV on matte)+int. ill. (coated); digital
Dimensions
Height: 269 mm
Width: 224 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
431 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6659-4837-1 (9781665948371)
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
Additional editions
Liz Garton Scanlon | Audrey Vernick
The Family Tree
E-Book
09/2025
Beach Lane Books
€10.87
Available for download
Persons
Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous celebrated picture books, including One Dark Bird; In the Canyon; Happy Birthday, Bunny!; the Caldecott Honor recipient All the World; Thank You, Garden; and The Family Tree. Liz is an adjunct professor of creative writing at Austin Community College, and her poetry has been published widely in literary journals. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas. Visit her at LizGartonScanlon.com.
Audrey Vernick writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers, including The World’s Best Class Plant, All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, and After the Worst Thing Happens. A three-time recipient of the New Jersey Arts Council’s writing fellowship, Audrey’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family. Visit her at AudreyVernick.com.
Fiona Lee is an artist who lives in Vermont with her family and a couple of ragtag pets. She is the illustrator of picture books including I Love You So… by Marianne Richmond, Ways to Say I Love You by Madeleine Cook, Bark Ship Bonnie by Stephanie Staib, Can’t Stop Kissing That Baby by K.L. Going, and The Family Tree by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick. Visit her at FionaLeeStudios.com.
Audrey Vernick writes fiction and nonfiction for young readers, including The World’s Best Class Plant, All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, and After the Worst Thing Happens. A three-time recipient of the New Jersey Arts Council’s writing fellowship, Audrey’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family. Visit her at AudreyVernick.com.
Fiona Lee is an artist who lives in Vermont with her family and a couple of ragtag pets. She is the illustrator of picture books including I Love You So… by Marianne Richmond, Ways to Say I Love You by Madeleine Cook, Bark Ship Bonnie by Stephanie Staib, Can’t Stop Kissing That Baby by K.L. Going, and The Family Tree by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick. Visit her at FionaLeeStudios.com.