Thank You, Old Oak
Britt Crow-Miller author Amy Schimler-Safford illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Barefoot Books Ltd
Publishing:25th Aug '26
£7.99
This title is due to be published on 25th August, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
A charming story about the lifecycle of a mother tree and the creatures who rely on her.
Just like that, Old Oak’s rooted life came to an end.
Even with her tap root severed, Old Oak would bring new life to the forest.
After 400 years in the forest, it’s time for Old Oak to fall. With a pop, frenzy of snaps, and a flurry of movement, she leans to one side and falls heavily to rest on the forest floor. When news of beloved Old Oak spreads throughout the forest, creatures big and small gather to show their gratitude for all she gave in her rooted life.
The squirrels thank her for the acorns, leaf buds, and catkins. The rabbits remember the cozy burrows her roots provided. Even the weevils scuttle aboveground to acknowledge all she gave them as tiny grubs. But the creatures soon discover Old Oak’s life is actually just beginning, and her legacy will serve the forest for hundreds of years to come.
- Teaches kids about all of the unique ways trees provide resources for the forest ecosystem
- Features a wide range of forest creatures
- Includes endnotes about oak trees, tree rings, and the forest ecosystem
“An arboreal appreciation, told with sensitive prose and detailed illustrations.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A touching story, engaging illustrations, and valuable educational content in the back matter make for a great addition to school library collections” – School Library Journal
"The book tells us about the vital role trees play in a forest’s ecosystem, and the textured collage-style art is simply beautiful!" – Storytime Magazine
"Thank You, Old Oak invites us to a celebration of life deep in the forest, when the hundreds of creatures sustained by a 400-year-old oak gather to express their gratitude for everything she gave them. Crow-Miller imparts the ecosystem-wide importance of oak trees with poetic, sensory-rich text, and treats the subject of death with a clear-eyed sensitivity that children will surely appreciate." – Chris Baker, Author of On a Mushroom Day
“This heartwarming ode masterfully evokes a deep sense of appreciation and wonder. Young readers will never look at a fallen log the same way again.” – Becca McMurdie, Author of Building a Beak and forthcoming book Just a Shell...Or Is It?
"The book tells us about the vital role trees play in a forest’s ecosystem, and the textured collage-style art is simply beautiful!" – Storytime Magazine
"This lovely book by professor of environmental geography and tree advocate Brit Crow-Miller tells the story of Old Oak, who falls down after 400 years" – Absolutely Education
"Children will be drawn to the animals in the pictures as they learn about the oak tree’s multiple roles in nature" – Children's Literature Comprehensive Review Database
ISBN: 9798888596586
Dimensions: 248mm x 254mm x 4mm
Weight: 168g
32 pages