Tree Thing
A highly illustrated story by an award-winning author
Published on 15. January 2026
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-78654-148-2 (ISBN)
Description
Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this story celebrates bravery, hope and the marvels of the natural world. When the dark rider on a horse arrives, Marlo's bravery is the only thing standing between Tree Thing and certain destruction ... An unmissable tale from award-winning Piers Torday.
Once, in a faraway land, a green thing squeezed out of the earth. The mysterious Tree Thing, which changes Marlo's life forever.
Nothing grows in Marlo's valley, and it's a struggle to survive. But when his squirrel Rinti finds a glowing emerald acorn, it grows into a miraculous Tree Thing.
Tree Thing changes everything, bringing life and hope. And when the shadowy Rider arrives with an axe, Marlo needs all his bravery and ingenuity to stand between triumph and disaster.
From the acclaimed, award-winning Piers Torday comes an unforgettable fable for all ages, a brilliantly illustrated story for young and old.
Once, in a faraway land, a green thing squeezed out of the earth. The mysterious Tree Thing, which changes Marlo's life forever.
Nothing grows in Marlo's valley, and it's a struggle to survive. But when his squirrel Rinti finds a glowing emerald acorn, it grows into a miraculous Tree Thing.
Tree Thing changes everything, bringing life and hope. And when the shadowy Rider arrives with an axe, Marlo needs all his bravery and ingenuity to stand between triumph and disaster.
From the acclaimed, award-winning Piers Torday comes an unforgettable fable for all ages, a brilliantly illustrated story for young and old.
Reviews / Votes
An enchanting fable to teach children about the natural world. Torday is an enchanting writer. A page-turning adventure story with a foreboding message about the planet's fragility. And like all the best fables, it will appeal well beyond its target readership of nine to 12 * The Telegraph * With stunning black-and-white illustrations, this powerful fable about nature, destruction and regeneration swirls with menace and mystery - and has an unexpected twist * Daily Mail * Inspired by the Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall, Torday and Taylor Wilson have created a haunting short fable that speaks volumes on humanity's symbiotic relationship with nature. * Irish Examiner * You can feel the memory of the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree, which inspired Piers Torday to write this gentle, heartfelt and piercing ode, throughout Tree Thing. Lyrical and humane, Tree Thing is scaffolded by Matthew Taylor Wilson's atmospheric black and white illustrations, which send out tendrils on every page. A beautiful, moving fable that celebrates caring for, and working with, nature. * Irish News, Children's Book of the Week * Torday's eco-narrative raises important questions about the relationship between humans and the natural world, while also retaining a vital seed of hope * Irish Times * Thought-provoking and powerful, Tree Thing is a story deeply rooted in the beauty of the natural world. It carries a plea for its protection and bursts with hope for change. It is quite extraordinary. * Through the Bookshelf * Piers Torday's mesmerising story leans into themes of nature, landscape and resilience, with Matthew Taylor Wilson's enchanting illustrations adding atmosphere and warmth throughout. Highly recommended. * School Reading List *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hachette Children's Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 11 years
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
360 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78654-148-2 (9781786541482)
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
01/2026
Quercus Children's Books
€9.49
Available for download
Persons
Piers Torday (Author)
Piers Torday began his career in theatre and then television as a producer and writer. His first book for children, The Last Wild, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award, nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and is being adapted for the stage by the Unicorn and National Theatre. His second book, The Dark Wild, won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Other titles include There May Be A Castle (People's Book Award finalist), which was adapted for the stage by the Little Angel Theatre, The Lost Magician (Teach Primary Book Award) and Midnight Treasure, the New Statesman Children's Book of the Year. He recently adapted The Box of Delights for the RSC. Other stage adaptations include Christmas Carol and The Wind in the Willows (Wilton's Music Hall).
Matthew Taylor Wilson (Illustrator)
Born and raised in the United States, Matthew is an illustrator and designer currently living in Kentucky with his brilliant wife, two kids and two neurotic dogs.
With picture books, monster movies and sci-fi novels as a foundation for his creative development, Matthew found himself on a journey from graphic design to a more playful, illustration-centered career. He has spent the better part of two decades drawing monsters and robots, doodling band names, illustrating and hand-lettering quirky book covers, ads, logos and a myriad of other commercial products.
Piers Torday began his career in theatre and then television as a producer and writer. His first book for children, The Last Wild, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award, nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and is being adapted for the stage by the Unicorn and National Theatre. His second book, The Dark Wild, won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Other titles include There May Be A Castle (People's Book Award finalist), which was adapted for the stage by the Little Angel Theatre, The Lost Magician (Teach Primary Book Award) and Midnight Treasure, the New Statesman Children's Book of the Year. He recently adapted The Box of Delights for the RSC. Other stage adaptations include Christmas Carol and The Wind in the Willows (Wilton's Music Hall).
Matthew Taylor Wilson (Illustrator)
Born and raised in the United States, Matthew is an illustrator and designer currently living in Kentucky with his brilliant wife, two kids and two neurotic dogs.
With picture books, monster movies and sci-fi novels as a foundation for his creative development, Matthew found himself on a journey from graphic design to a more playful, illustration-centered career. He has spent the better part of two decades drawing monsters and robots, doodling band names, illustrating and hand-lettering quirky book covers, ads, logos and a myriad of other commercial products.