A 2026 Growing Good Kids Excellence in Children's Literature Award winner
A 2026 Massachusetts Book Award longlist title
“An arboreal appreciation, told with sensitive prose and detailed illustrations.” – Kirkus Reviews
"A touching story, engaging illustrations, and valuable educational content in the back matter make for a great addition to school library collections" – School Library Journal
"But instead of this being an unheard and unnoticed action, this beloved Old Oak is celebrated by all the creatures of the forest who come to pay their respects" – Shelf Magazine
"The book tells us about the vital role trees play in a forest’s ecosystem, and the textured collage-style art is simply beautiful!" – Storytime Magazine
"This lovely book by professor of environmental geography and tree advocate Brit Crow-Miller tells the story of Old Oak, who falls down after 400 years" – Absolutely Education
"Children will be drawn to the animals in the pictures as they learn about the oak tree’s multiple roles in nature" – Children's Literature Comprehensive Review Database
"Colourful and collaged information telling the story of a 400 year old oak tree in a simple and captivating read" – The Green Parent
“This heartwarming ode masterfully evokes a deep sense of appreciation and wonder. Young readers will never look at a fallen log the same way again.”
– Becca McMurdie, Author of Building a Beak and forthcoming book Just a Shell...Or Is It?
"Thank You, Old Oak invites us to a celebration of life deep in the forest, when the hundreds of creatures sustained by a 400-year-old oak gather to express their gratitude for everything she gave them. Crow-Miller imparts the ecosystem-wide importance of oak trees with poetic, sensory-rich text, and treats the subject of death with a clear-eyed sensitivity that children will surely appreciate." – Chris Baker, Author of On a Mushroom Day
