In a faraway land, a man and a woman live in their little house at the edge of the forest. They are poor and have to work hard for a meager meal, but they are always cheerful and happy. Every year, in the autumn, the man goes deep into the forest. In a clearing, there stands a large, stately oak. He gathers the fallen acorns and works until the cellar of his house is full. In winter, the man peels the acorns, the woman grinds them between heavy millstones into flour, and from the flour, she bakes the most delicious acorn cookies. One day in spring, when the acorn supply is depleted, one little acorn remains in the cellar. That acorn shines so beautifully that the man and the woman give it a safe spot in the cellar. Soon, the acorn germinates, its roots find their way into the earth of the cellar floor, and the small oak tree grows and grows. The man and the woman faithfully care for the tree, and when the oak tree has grown through the roof of their house and bears fruit for the first time, they are rewarded for their good care.
Inspired by a Balkan fairy tale, Marjan van Zeyl created a picture book in which the serene world of the forest comes to life. Animals and plants are depicted with great feeling, as is the simplicity and calmness of rural life. An atmospheric book to look at together and read aloud to preschoolers from about 4 years old.
