Lost Art Press

New Book in the Works: The Nannau Oak

Posted on by Kara Uhl
An illustration in celebration of National Biodiversity Day by Elin Manon Cooper.

I first read about the Welsh Nannau Oak (also called the Strangling Oak; Derwen Ceubren Yr Ellyll, the Hollow Oak, Haunt of Demons; and the Skeleton Tree) while working on Honest Labour: The Charles H. Hayward Years. I was intrigued.

After months of thinking about it and doing a bit of research, I sent an email to Chris about the tree. Stories surrounding the oak involve murder. Ghosts. Witch hangings. Cursed objects.

I gave him some background on the tree and asked if there was any merit in doing more research for something unusual given the nature of the oak: an illustrated children’s book. My long email was followed by his short answer.

“Hell yes, this is cool.”

Fast forward to today.

After months of research, countless drafts and help from many fine people (all of which I’ll write about more in the weeks to come) I have finished the manuscript and am working on the storyboard. And now I am thrilled to say that Welsh illustrator Elin Manon Cooper has agreed to illustrate the book.

Elin Manon Cooper. Photo by Morgan Cartlidge.

Elin grew up in Cardiff, Wales, and currently travels between homes in Wales and Cornwall. She has a first-class BA Hons Degree in illustration from Falmouth University. Elin’s work “is often inspired by the natural world, folklore and folk traditions, particularly those Welsh and Cornish.” She has a passion for storytelling and she “aims to bring a sense of magic to the everyday, reflecting stories of the landscape, in a world that is often focused on the modern and material.”

Alban Eilir, the Spring Equinox. Illustration by Elin Manon Cooper.

Her work was recently featured as a Google Doodle in celebration of St. David’s Day 2021.

Our long-form illustrated children’s book is about Cadi, the daughter of a Welsh chairmaker – plus the Nannau oak and an acorn-shaped cup filled with spirits’ stories. Unlike Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree,” this oak fights back. But at its heart it’s about storytelling and the importance of truth, even when the truth seems scary.

I can’t wait to tell you more about it.

— Kara Gebhart Uhl

21 thoughts on “New Book in the Works: The Nannau Oak”

    1. Unfortunately we’re no longer offering pre-orders but we hope to have this book ready to buy spring 2022!

  4. I read a Giving tree and loved it, but thought it missed a note or 2. I teach horse back riding and I love a horse with some spirit. When I was 18ish and not knowing anything other than the words Dutch elm disease, someone asked me to split one for fire wood, that was a battle. I love ghost stories and art!

  5. Im really looking forward to the book’s release. Is there an anticipated date?
    Thank You

  6. Looks like I will have not only a book in the future to read…but a gift for my granddaughters to read as well…Thank you!

  7. Wow, great idea! Very excited about this. I’m very impressed with the illustrators work, as well.

    I never guessed my daughter Emily (currently 3 months old) would start her LAP book collection at such a young age.

    If you had to guess, roughly how long do you think it will it take to get this out?

    Thanks

  9. Those illustrations are wonderful. How do you find Elin?

    (Attempt # 2. Sorry if this is a duplicate. Fat thumb got me the first time.)

    2. It was really important to me to find a Welsh illustrator. I spent a lot of time searching online and Instagram proved very helpful. I searched hashtags, in both English and Welsh, and just started following everyone I could find. There are a lot of folks making beautiful art in this world!

  11. As a reader and long-time collector of children’s literature both antique and modern, I will buy multiple copies of this one, be assured. It may not be a LAP tradition, but consider signed copies by author and illustrator. Do you have a publishing date in view?

  12. Can’t wait to read the book. Love folktale and Piseógs. Especially in relation to trees and woodwork. Hawthorn has always intrigued me.

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