Basil, Cornelius and the other resident bears were positively ecstatic when they heard about Rachel Piercey and Freya Hartas’s new poetry picture book, Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball (Magic Cat, 2023).

In this charming interactive follow-up to If You Go Down to the Woods Today (Magic Cat, 2021), readers are invited to join the inimitable Bear and his woodland friends as they plan a spectacular surprise party to celebrate Old Oak’s 500th birthday. Preparations will take most of the year with each season marked by fun activities.

As the story opens, Bear tells us that it all began in early spring:

HOW OLD IS OAK?

It started when I wondered,
as I never had before:
How long has Oak been growing here?
A hundred years, or more?

It must, I thought, take many years
of water, air, and light
to spread to such a wondrous width
and such a mighty height.

As Oak wakes up with his leaves unfurling, Bear asks him his age and learns (much to his astonishment) that his friend had sprung up on that very spot 500 years ago. As Bear starts thinking about all that Oak had seen in his long life, he begins daydreaming . . .

That summer, Bear comes up with an idea. What about a secret birthday ball for Oak? His friends roar and cheer in agreement. In no time at all, they create “piles and piles” of homemade invitations that are dutifully sent to everyone in Brown Bear Wood by lots of volunteers.

Come autumn, the last of the RSVPs arrive — everyone is coming!

Now there is much to do, so they all get to work.

PRESENTS AND PREPARATIONS

I planned this ball to show Old Oak
the gratitude and care,
and this included making things
to give, display and share:

confetti, banners, cards, and cakes:
bouquets of odds and ends:
and a collage showing Oak and me,
the very best of friends.

Busy, busy, busy!! Counting down the days, they grow more and more excited as they wrap gifts, write a play, and create a schedule for morning, noon and night.

Oh, the anticipation! They can’t wait. Winter finally arrives and it’s time for the ball!

THE BIRTHDAY BALL BEGINS

The party day arrived at last:
"Surprise!" we called. "Hooray!"
Old Oak had never guessed a thing
and smiled and laughed all day.

I'd never seen our home so full,
nor heard it quite so loud.
I glowed with warmth, despite the cold:
I felt so pleased and proud.

There’s a puppet show, sack races, bobbing for apples, an ice sculpture, dancing and feasting! They honor Old Oak with a special play performed by lantern light touting oaks and their significance “today and back through time.” There’s also juggling, a ballet, and dazzling fireworks. No end to the entertainment, wonder and magic!

Finally, after a tremendous day filled with unbridled happiness and a sense of great accomplishment, it’s time to wind down. As the snow gently falls, the residents of Brown Bear Wood tidy up, put things back in order, talk about all the fun they had, and one by one, go to bed.

Piercey’s delightful tale, told in a series of short rhyming verses, is accompanied by Freya Hartas’s enchanting, exquisitely detailed pencil and digitally colored illustrations. Each double page spread is its own search-and-find adventure that expands Piercey’s narrative with whimsical descriptions of animal activity (the book contains over 100 things to find).

For example, in the Presents and Preparations spread, readers are asked to look for mice and chipmunks sewing bunting, Professor Owl composing a poem, a warbler licking a jam spoon, Bear’s little brother and sister stirring fruitcake batter. These specifics draw the reader right into the middle of all the action, and Freya’s depictions are absolutely a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!!

Little paws holding paint brushes, a tiny spider making a birthday card, mice hanging leaves on a deer’s antlers. Could they be any cuter? I think not. The sheer variety of animals makes this story an enjoyable nature study: kids are not only asked to identify weasels, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, skunks, doves, bats, frogs, rabbits, woodpeckers, bees, worms, and more, but to count them and distinguish between adults and offspring. So much to see and do!

There’s also a lovely nod to environmentalism, as whenever natural materials are not used to make decorations, etc., the animals use recycled paper or reusable objects.

I like the overall feeling of harmony, community, and cooperation as different animal species work, play, celebrate, and frolic together. Everyone is included; everyone contributes. Freya’s animal characters are so appealing and drawn with such heart and warmth. And of course, Bear, an irresistibly likable and friendly fellow, leads the charge: wait until you see him standing on a tiny chair, hugging Oak, making a leaf nature collage, and reciting his lines as Julius Caesar (Owl dressed as the Bard is also onstage).

As for Old Oak himself, we see how his appearance changes through the seasons, and how his magnificent presence supports so many creatures above and below ground.

My favorite spread? Probably the main birthday ball celebration. After all, it contains seven festive tables with colorful tablecloths laden with treats: cakes, puddings, fruits, nuts, cookies, buns! Yum!! Because it’s winter, it’s especially festive with wreaths, garlands, candles, mistletoe, stars. Now that’s how to throw a party!

At story’s end, readers are encouraged to go outside and find a nearby deciduous tree to befriend. A special Tree Trail describes its life cycle over the course of a year, from first blossoms, pollination and full leaf, to fall color changes followed by leaf loss. Suggested activities include sketching leaf silhouettes, collecting acorns, observing and identifying tree species. There are many ways to honor your chosen tree!

Other back matter includes illustrated guidelines for throwing your own party, a list of online sites to learn more about trees, as well as a list of sites featuring ideas for planning nature-themed parties.

Informative and engaging with stunning art, Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball will provide hours of fun for animal and nature loving munchkins. Thanks for another fabulous story, Bear!

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GRAND OLD OAK AND THE BIRTHDAY BALL
written by Rachel Piercey
illustrated by Freya Hartas
published by Magic Cat/Abrams (August 2023)
Interactive poetry picture book for ages 4-6, 32 pp.
*Includes Tree Trail, Party Guidelines, Online Tree and Party Resources

♥️ An Activity Pack can be found here.

♥️ Rachel Piercey is the editor of the online children’s poetry journal Tyger, Tyger. Check out the site for submission information or to read current and back issues.

♥️ Enjoy this video of Rachel reading the story for World Book Day 2023:

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Lovely and talented Ruth Hersey is hosting the Roundup at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town. Zip over to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared around the blogosphere this week. Enjoy your weekend!

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*Interior spreads text copyright © 2023 Rachel Piercey, illustrations © 2023 Freya Hartas, published by Magic Cat/Abrams. All rights reserved.

**Copyright © 2024 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.