Spruce loves the forest surrounding their home, and spends as much time as possible among the trees. She knows them all, along with the elf trails that weave between. She has a favourite spot in a pine tree where she writes in a green notebook about this forest she loves.

One day she arrives home to find her family unhappy. They are talking about something called ZONED, and her forest is in danger. Her grandmother talks of protest, if only she was young enough.

Spruce decides she herself is young enough and decides to do something. But will it be enough? It’s only when she meets a stranger with twigs in his hair does she find a way to save her cherished forest.

Thank you, Forest has been translated from Finnish, and is a tale for anywhere protecting their environment. This beautiful hardback picture book looks like a large notebook, depicting the notebook in the story. It contains the story of a forest in danger, and the thoughts of a young girl trying to save it.

Her imagination is fed by the forest as she spends all her time amongst the trees, but this very thing is what helps her stop the machines and men in overalls.

Pencilled illustrations share the pages with leaves, insect wings and pine needles (photography) either pressed between the pages or taped in the book, bringing the story even more to life.

Beautiful.

Author – Johanna Venho

Illustrator – Sanna Pelliccioni

Publisher – Five Oceans

Picture Book

(2025, Oratia Press, Five Oceans, Finland, Forest, Trees, Environment, Development, Notebook, Nature, Imagination, Stranger, Magical, Secret)