
Tree and Leaf
Including Leaf by Niggle
J. R. R. Tolkien(Author)
HarperCollins (Publisher)
Published on 31. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-00-876189-9 (ISBN)
Description
New edition of Tolkien's Tree and Leaf, illustrated for the first time by Pauline Baynes, which includes his famous essay, 'On Fairy-stories' and the story that exemplifies this, 'Leaf by Niggle', together with the poem 'Mythopoeia' and the verse drama, 'The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth', that tells of events following the disastrous Battle of Maldon.
Fairy-stories are not just for children, as anyone who has read Tolkien will know. In his essay On Fairy-Stories, Tolkien discusses the nature of fairy-tales and fantasy and rescues the genre from those who would relegate it to juvenilia. The haunting short story, Leaf by Niggle, recounts the story of the artist, Niggle, who has 'a long journey to make' and is seen as an allegory of Tolkien's life.
The poem Mythopoeia relates an argument between two unforgettable characters as they discuss the making of myths. Lastly, we are treated to The Homecoming of Beorthnoth which considers the wastefulness of war following the disastrous Battle of Maldon in 991.
Tree and Leaf is an eclectic, amusing, provocative and entertaining collection of works which reveals the diversity of J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination, the depth of his knowledge of English history, and the breadth of his talent as a creator of fantastic fiction.
Fairy-stories are not just for children, as anyone who has read Tolkien will know. In his essay On Fairy-Stories, Tolkien discusses the nature of fairy-tales and fantasy and rescues the genre from those who would relegate it to juvenilia. The haunting short story, Leaf by Niggle, recounts the story of the artist, Niggle, who has 'a long journey to make' and is seen as an allegory of Tolkien's life.
The poem Mythopoeia relates an argument between two unforgettable characters as they discuss the making of myths. Lastly, we are treated to The Homecoming of Beorthnoth which considers the wastefulness of war following the disastrous Battle of Maldon in 991.
Tree and Leaf is an eclectic, amusing, provocative and entertaining collection of works which reveals the diversity of J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination, the depth of his knowledge of English history, and the breadth of his talent as a creator of fantastic fiction.
Reviews / Votes
'A haunting and successful demonstration of the qualities of faerie' New York Times 'The book must be read... it goes far to explain the nature of his art and justify his success' The Cambridge Review 'While springing from deep-rooted convictions, his art has imaginative magic of a very rare quality' Birmingham PostMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
134 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-876189-9 (9780008761899)
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

E-Book
12/2012
1st Edition
HarperCollins
€6.99
Available for download
Persons
J R R Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold many millions of copies world wide.