THE SEARCHER AND OLD TREE

A little raccoon sleeps through a fierce storm in his favorite tree. The Searcher ferrets for food all night and at dawn heads back to his home in the branches of sturdy Old Tree where he comfortably settles for a day of deep sleep. While the Searcher sleeps, a coastal storm brews with blowing wind and lashing waves. As the storm builds, wind rips Old Tree’s branches, bends his trunk and tries to pull out his roots. All day the storm rages, Old Tree holds fast and the Searcher sleeps on unaware. By evening, the storm retreats and the Searcher wakes up refreshed. As the Searcher climbs out of Old Tree to begin his evening forage, he’s amazed to see Old Tree’s broken branches and leaves lying in the wet grass. The atmospheric pen, ink and watercolor illustrations convey the storm’s elemental intensity, Old Tree’s gallant struggle to survive and the Searcher’s total oblivion. Careful readers will discover Old Tree’s anthropomorphic face protectively watching over the Searcher in this allegorical tribute to the importance of having a safe place. (Picture book. 3-6)