The Mother Tree

Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Hardcover
$18.99 US
On sale Mar 17, 2026 | 40 Pages | 9780593705681

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In this picture book celebrating the power that even the smallest of us have to protect the natural world, a kid saves the most important tree in the forest from being chopped down.

"The mother tree feeds the younger trees through their roots," Momma explains to Sadie on their morning walk. They've arrived at Sadie's favorite tree: a mother tree, an ancient beech, with a trunk as thick as an elephant's leg. Sadie is amazed by all the work it does in the hidden world beneath the soil.

But days later, Sadie sees an orange circle spray-painted on the beech. When Momma tells her this means loggers are going to chop it down, Sadie is distraught. Is there anything she can do to save her beloved mother tree?

Filled with lush artwork, this picture book is a moving reminder that, though healing our Earth will take time, standing up for one majestic tree is a great way to start.
Nancy Carpenter has won the Christopher Award for her picture book illustrations. A graduate of Parsons, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. View titles by Nancy Carpenter

About

In this picture book celebrating the power that even the smallest of us have to protect the natural world, a kid saves the most important tree in the forest from being chopped down.

"The mother tree feeds the younger trees through their roots," Momma explains to Sadie on their morning walk. They've arrived at Sadie's favorite tree: a mother tree, an ancient beech, with a trunk as thick as an elephant's leg. Sadie is amazed by all the work it does in the hidden world beneath the soil.

But days later, Sadie sees an orange circle spray-painted on the beech. When Momma tells her this means loggers are going to chop it down, Sadie is distraught. Is there anything she can do to save her beloved mother tree?

Filled with lush artwork, this picture book is a moving reminder that, though healing our Earth will take time, standing up for one majestic tree is a great way to start.

Author

Nancy Carpenter has won the Christopher Award for her picture book illustrations. A graduate of Parsons, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. View titles by Nancy Carpenter

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