The Tree Keepers: Flock

The Tree Keepers: Flock by Gemma Koomen
Published by: Frances Lincoln
Pub Date: 2 Jun 2020

This book is beautiful.

I could end this review there and feel content that I have said all I need to say about this book, because it really is breathtaking, but I will carry on! I loved every moment of this story from beginning to end. It tells the tale of a group of ‘tree keepers’ which reminded me a lot of the borrowers or the anime classic ‘The Secret Life of Arietty’. These people look after the trees. The story centres around one young girl who struggles to make friends, until one day she finds a baby bird... it is such an endearing story with visually stunning illustrations. It took my heart away, it really did.
This would tie nicely into topics on: friendship, eco-systems, birds, life cycles, trees. It would generate some beautiful written outcomes such as: information texts on trees or life cycles. The children could perhaps make up a backstory/report on the Tree keepers, or a job description or an alternative ending to the story.

This is an adorable book about why making friends is important. The illustrations were beautiful and I loved that it was all based in nature.

Filled with beautiful, rich illustrations where children will find something new each time they look, this is a gentle and heart-warming story that celebrates the natural world and the power of friendship. The world of the Tree Keepers is one of co-operation and companionship, but Sylvia is a more reserved and solitary child who has a secret place where she retreats from the crowd. The discovery of a baby bird in her hideaway and the caring relationship that ensues change Sylvia’s outlook and open up the possibilities of reaching out to others. An ideal story to share with children of all ages, who will each take something different from the text and illustrations, and feel encouraged by the positive results of Sylvia overcoming her shyness.

I was provided a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


This book is a beautifully illustrated story about friendship, it follows the tree keepers - tiny people who live in and care for the tree - but in particular one little girl who doesn’t play with everyone else.

She befriends a bird who helps to bring her out of her shell and allows her to have the confidence to join in the games with the other little people in the tree. I think this book would be perfect for children who maybe get anxious when playing with new children. It is also a great way to show how interesting trees can be and teaches (although in a basic way) some of the lifecycle of the trees.

It was an interesting story about little people living in trees and the goodness of friendship. The colourful picturesque illustration makes the story come to live. A good book for young readers.

The Tree Keepers: Flock is a beautiful story about the power of friendship, confidence and self-esteem. Sylvia is a Tree Keeper, one of group of tiny people who care for the trees they live in, but she doesn’t join in with the games of the other children due to being so shy. However, befriending a baby starling, whom she names Scruff, shows her that there is fun and adventure to be had if you embrace the company of others. Having a little courage can lead to great rewards and wonderful friendships; an important lesson for all shy children.

The illustrations are every bit as beautiful as the sentiment of this book, and my daughter truly enjoyed poring over every scene. This book is particularly poignant for us at the moment, as my daughter prepares to go back to nursery following two month’s out due to the COVID outbreak. While she is nervous about returning, having not spent time with her friends in such a long time, we were able to use this story to explore those feelings, for which I will always be grateful. I look forward to seeing more from this author!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This is a gorgeous book- the illustrations tell a story on their own. With plenty of details on each page and a subtle use of colours, it is inspired artwork,
The Tree Keepers are industrious and busy- friendly and welcoming.
One young tree keeper feels shy and unsure, collecting treasures from nature to keep in her "special secret place"....until one day someone else finds their way into this place.
Sylvia and new friend Scruff adapt to their new friendship and learn plenty from each other, including how to fly.
Scruff helps Sylvia to explore the world around her and to see things from different perspectives, including the inside of a swallow murmuration, which is a thing of beauty!
I adored this book of nature, friendship and finding courage. Whether it is to fly like Scruff, make new friends like Sylvia, this book provides hope and courage to those who need it.

I was delighted to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto publishing group, for this beautifully illustrated and heartwarming book. As others have previously eluded to, the finite illustrations enhance and magnify the beauty, quality and charm of the story. The exquisite attention to detail makes this text incredibly visually engaging for all readers- both young and old(er)!

I was particularly impressed with the high level of vocabulary used; allowing for rich discussions and clarifying. The words are written in such a way that it is not only enjoyable to read but also to relax and listen to. I have already purchased myself a copy with next day delivery and will be purchasing for our school library/ class texts for Year 1/2. I can’t wait to enjoy its grandeur in person and share it with as many little people as I can!

The Tree Keepers: Flock is a magical book with exquisite illustrations. This colourful book captured my three year old’s imagination as she was able to understand Sylvia’s natural desire to find a friend.

The story immerses the child into the miniature of world of the Tree Keepers where they “Nurture and mend, gather and tend.” The illustrations show the children playing games with the natural elements around them, games such as twig tag and tug the vine. We are introduced to Sylvia who likes to play alone in her tree until one day she finds a bird in the place where she plays. A short friendship flourishes with the bird as Scruff soon needs to leave with their flock. Alone again, Sylvia longs for a friend and finds friendship with the other tree keepers

Lily’s favourite part of the book was “Sylvia playing with lots of friends.”

Gemma Koomen uses beautiful colours in her illustrations, highlighting the beauty in the natural world. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more publications by Koomen.

This book is short and sweet, the message is very clear to young readers. Illustrations are awesome. We actually adored muted color palette. Very grateful for having an opportunity to read this little piece of art early

Beautiful illustrations really bring this story of friendship and loneliness to life. A beautiful tale with such a vivid and great background to it. Reminiscent of Enid Blyton's the faraway tree, the tree in this story is filled with an amazing world and characters. I really look forward to seeing more titles in this series.

The Tree Keepers: Flock, is a beautiful debut picture book by Gemma Koomen. The premise of the book revolves around a civilisation called the Tree Keepers, a group of tiny people (whom I imagine are almost invisible to humans) who live in the trees, harvesting, cleaning and generally making the tree appear as appealing as possible. Think the borrowers, but living in trees. The idea of these tiny humans doing the work of nature is one which is easily imagined and the illustrations really help to add life to the words, as you see the Tree Keepers going about their daily tasks.

The book focuses on one of the Tree Keepers names Sylvia - a young, introverted girl who prefers her own company to that of others. However, when Sylvia befriends a baby starling she begins to see what great possibilities friendship can bring and that sometimes a friendly face is comforting.

This would be a brilliant book to use in art lessons and I can imagine myself using it to focus on art using nature, collecting leaves and twigs to create a small world or recreate a scene from the book. I know that this would also prompt a lot of discussion around where else mini civilisations might be living and really promote imaginative writing within a classroom.

Flock is filled with the kind of imagination and fantasy that I love to create in my classroom and I know this will be a beautiful addition to my school bookshelf.

A magnified view of life in the trees and the importance of friendship.

A delightful story which shows how whilst you can be happy in your own company, sharing time and experiences with others can be rewarding and enriching. Lovely illustrations and simple yet powerful text. I will be using this after school returns after COVID Lockdown to foster children’s awareness of our need for each other after a long period of separation.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this picture book and immediately bought it for my son. It is an adorable story of a little girl befriending a lonely bird and I think many children would benefit from reading it.

The illustration style is artistic yet simple and the exact type of images that my son gets on with so I'm so glad I had a chance to read this.

4 out of 5 stars!

If you take a really close look into the forest, you might happen to see the wood keepers.

This is the story of one of them, and it's a beautiful story with a happy ending.
Though muted, the colour palette of these pictures fit very nicely to the topic at hand and are very beautiful. I especially like how inclusive this one is, the different tree keepers seem to come from all over the world and all look very different.

I'd really like to join them on their tree.
I think that not only is the story nice, this book might get a listener to dream up their own version of life in this world, and is a great starting place for make-believe adventures.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.