TREE

A new journey of wonder and discovery from award-winning dream team, author Claire Saxby and illustrator Jess Racklyeft.

In the vein of Iceberg - marrying deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft return with a change in environment, from ocean to land. Their new collaboration follows a mighty tree, from the bottom of its roots up to the tips of its upper branches. The story will explore shared underground resources via fungi, through to the various critters who live on, in and around the tree, to the transpiration via leaves that is connected via capillary action to the deepest root... There will be bark tales, mossy landings, pseudo-composting heated glider beds, birds, blue sky and rain. Tree is another stunning package including a gatefold central spread. Claire Saxby was born in Melbourne, moved to Newcastle as a toddler and to Bougainville Island in PNG when she was ten. Claire's work has won several awards including CBCA Honour Book, a NSW Premier's Literary Award, a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, an Environment Award for Children's Literature, an Educational Publishing Award and the Whitley Award multiple times. She is widely curious about just about everything and passionate about encouraging curiosity and wonder. www.clairesaxby.com Jess Racklyeft works mainly in watercolours and ink and her illustrations often combine collage - either on paper or digitally assembled. Jess worked in publishing sales for almost a decade before making the leap to full-time creator. She has since written and/or illustrated nearly 30 titles and won several illustration accolades including CBCA Picture Book of the Year for Iceberg and another two CBCA Picture Book Notables. www.jessesmess.com