Alison Green unveils ‘beautiful’ new picture book by Donaldson and Sandøy

Alison Green Books has signed The Oak Tree, “a beautiful celebration of the natural world and the cycle of life over 1,000 years” by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Victoria Sandøy.

Publisher Alison Green secured world rights to the text from Caroline Sheldon at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. Rights to the illustrations were acquired directly from Sandøy.

The publisher explained: “In October 2023, The Oak Tree is set to captivate all ages with a rich and dramatic story of the life of a magnificent tree – told in Julia Donaldson’s pitch-perfect rhyme and illustrated tenderly by Victoria Sandøy.

“As a tiny acorn grows, the world around it changes. People and animals come and go. Finally, after one thousand years, the ancient tree falls in a storm – and a new acorn sprouts, beginning the cycle of life all over again.”

The pair previously worked together on The Christmas Pine, published on 14th October 2021 by Alison Green Books and shortlisted for the 2022 British Book Award for Illustrated Children’s Books. The publisher said of the book: “Originally commissioned by The Poetry Society to mark Norway’s annual gift of a Christmas tree to the UK – a tradition since the Second World War – Julia’s evocative and heartfelt rhyme was perfectly complemented by magical and moving artwork by Norwegian artist Victoria Sandøy.”

Donaldson said: “Trees have always held a fascination for me, and I am rarely happier than when I’m walking through woodland. Ancient trees are particularly remarkable. I’m always amazed to think how much history they’ve lived through. The Oak Tree is my love letter to those ancient trees, and to the lives of all the people and animals who have passed beneath their boughs.”

Sandøy commented: “I’m so happy and honoured to be working with Julia and Alison again. The Oak Tree is such a wholesome and beautiful story that captured me from the first few lines. I hope to bring the reader into Julia’s wonderful world and to present this remarkable oak tree’s journey through rich and heart-warming imagery.”

Green described the work as “a beautiful [and] captivating book,” adding that Donaldson’s verses “sweep you effortlessly through the centuries” while Sandøy’s “gorgeous illustrations capture the atmosphere of the changing seasons so perfectly”.

“This is a book that encourages us to look: to find the tiny details in the natural world around us, and to think about the great sweep of time that has gone before us,” Green said. “I guarantee you’ll never look at an oak tree in quite the same way again.”