My Friend Tree

Discover the touching story of a young girl and boy, and an ancient old oak tree, in this sweet picture book about friendship, growing up, and our connectedness with nature.

Told in minimal and poetic rhyming text from folktale writer Dawn Casey, and with soft, romantic artwork by Montréal illustrator Geneviève Godbout, the story introduces a girl and a boy who grow up alongside their friend, an old oak tree.

The tree is a constant presence in their lives as they play.

Inspired by their shared love for their old friend, they plant a new forest, and tend to it together, finding their feelings for one another deepening and changing alongside the growing saplings.

As their relationship blossoms, so too does the forest.

The loving couple add three joyful children to the branches of their flourishing family tree, and the woodland thrives and grows with them - one living, loving family.

This sweet and timeless tale packs an emotional punch, showing how love is all around us, and includes instructions for how to plant an acorn and grow your own oak tree, wistfully reflecting the beauty of nature and family.

A beautiful and romantic picture book from the author and illustrator pairing behind the best-selling Apple Cake. A celebration of love and connectedness with nature, this book is printed on environmentally friendly 100% recycled paper. It’s a calming read for kids and a lovely reminder that nature connects us all and of the touching harmony between us as people. A great gift for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, National Arbor Day, Father’s Day, or just as a touching keepsake for loved ones.

Dawn Casey draws inspiration from her travels near and far, from tales of old, and from the natural world. She has a particular specialism in the retelling of folktales. Her collection The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales won a Golden Nautilus Award and received an accolade from the American Folklore Society. In previous incarnations, Dawn worked in publishing and as a primary school teacher. Now she retells folktales and writes original stories and picturebook texts for a range of educational and trade publishers. She lives in Sussex, England.

Genevieve Godbout lives in Montreal where she works as a children’s book and fashion illustrator. She studied traditional animation in Montreal and at the prestigious school of ＂Gobelins＂ in Paris. Genevieve was born and raised in Quebec, but spent 7 years in London, UK, after her stay in France. Some of her clients include The Walt Disney Company, Chronicle, Tundra, Random House, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, les éditions Milan, Comme des Géants, and La Pastèque. She also illustrates for clothing designers like Nadinoo and Mrs.Pomeranz creating illustrations and prints for their collections. Her children’s books include When Santa Was a Baby (Tundra Book) and Rose à petits Pois (La Pastèque).