By Ash, Oak and Thorn

Author:

Melissa Harrison

Illustrator:

N/A

Published by:

Chicken House

First Published:

6 May 2021

Ideal for readers age

9-12y

My Review

My daughter loved this gentle and sweet story of the 'Hidden Folk' of the Wild Wood who wake up one morning to find their ash tree dying and set off to see if they can find others of their kind. Melissa Harrison is a nature writer and recipient of literary prizes for her work for adults, and her passion for wilderness and knowledge of flora and fauna really shine through in this book. Her message is a melancholy one - of the disappearance of the wild and its creatures wrought by humans - but the way she tells her story is kind on little minds, and full of heart.

Heads Up!

Look out for the sequel to this, 'By Rowan and Yew'.

Publisher Review

Three tiny, ancient beings - Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, once revered as Guardians of the Wild World - wake from winter hibernation in their beloved ash tree home. When it is destroyed, they set off on an adventure to find more of their kind, a journey which takes them first into the deep countryside and then the heart of a city. Helped along the way by birds and animals, the trio search for a way to survive and thrive in a precious yet disappearing world.