The Last Tree by Emily Howarth-Booth

Emily wrote and illustrated the phenomenally successful The King Who Banned the Dark. We have been lucky enough to host events for her last 2 books and she kindly painted our shop window.

Her latest book is about community and our relationship with the environment and the natural world. Once upon a time a group of friends were seeking a place to call home. The desert was too hot, the valley was too wet and the mountain was too windy.

Then they found the forest. It was perfect. The leaves gave shelter from the sun and rain, and a gentle breeze wound through the branches.

But the friends soon wanted to build shelters. The shelters became houses, then the houses got bigger. All too soon they wanted to control the environment and built a huge wooden wall around the community.

As they cut down the trees, the forest becomes thinner, until there is just one last tree standing. It is down to the children to find a solution.

We are big fans of Emily's books here at Ottie and the Bea and have been lucky enough to host several events and get Emily to draw on our window :-)