The Great Oak Tree - by Zoë Armstrong (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Discover the enchanting world of nature's resilience and the unbreakable bond between a curious Blackbird and a steadfast guardian tree in this beautifully illustrated, lyrical non-fiction picture book.

When Blackbird questions why the old 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 the science of photosynthesis and seasonal changes within the tree, and also how central the tree is central to its local ecosystem - the many ways in which it offers shelter and sustenance to the wildlife all around. Then, when the tree itself is under attack, Blackbird is quick to help defend it.

About the Author

Zoë Armstrong grew up in Oxford and Paris, where she spent a lot of time making crêpes 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, Zoë lives in Brighton with her young daughter.

Amélie 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.