Author(s): Natasha Farrant

Junior Fiction | Claire's Book Talkers

Magical interlinked stories about what one girl learns from talking to trees throughout Time and from around the world in a sumptuous gift book presentation. From the team who brought you Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror, Costa Book Award winning Natasha Farrant and Lydia Corry.

Olive's best friend is a four-hundred-year-old oak tree, and it is in danger. As she tumbles into its magic world, she makes it a promise. From deep roots to high branches, a Persian garden to an underwater forest, from tulip trees to wild apple to vengeful box, she listens to the trees telling stories for all time. And she keeps her promise.

With a conservation message and facts about tree science alongside the magic and wonder of seven beautifully imagined original stories, this full-colour gift book enchants and reminds us of the importance of trees in our lives.

'Terrific and inspirational' Irish Times

CONSTANT READER STAFF REVIEW - CLAIRE

This book initially caught my attention with its absolutely beautiful illustrations, but it turns out that the story inside is just as much a work of art. Each chapter is a short fable narrated by a different tree species (introduced with accompanying facts for any budding botanists out there!), which transport you to a variety of exotic and imagined lands. Every tale forms an important lesson and clue for our protagonist, Olive, in preventing the destruction of the forest near her family’s home. With only seven hours to spare, her mission is a seemingly impossible feat, but armed with the wisdom of the seven trees she meets, might Olive just be able to succeed?

Deceptively small for the powerful message it contains, this little book reminds us that, if we pause for a moment to truly observe the world around us, the solution to a problem can often be found hiding in plain sight…