The Story of Tree and Cloud
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The beautiful coastal live oak tree (or Quercus agrifolia, as botanists call her) is famous for her very long life.
One particular coastal live oak was named Folie, and she was more than 150 years old. No one really knew exactly how old she was, and Folie liked it that way.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
During the last decade, author Daryl McCullough faced the illness of his mother as she was battling cancer. After her death, he cleaned out his childhood desk and found an earlier draft of this story, which was written as a junior high school assignment. A metaphorical tale about understanding and coping with death, his ailing mother had left this manuscript for him to find again. With some rewriting along with inspiring illustrations by his talented aunt Maryanne Smith, they capture the essence and beauty of nature, while providing some insight into the mysteries of life, change, and death.
The Story of Tree and Cloud, a picture book for children and adults, shares the story of an ages-old oak tree named Folie who lives on the top of a golden California coastal hillside. Throughout the seasons of her life, Folie sees and experiences many fascinating things, but she also experiences loss and the resulting grief. Soon, she comes to understand that her loved one’s spirit lives on, and she finds solace in that.
THE STORY OF TREE AND CLOUD – 2022 Awards
• Firebird Book Awards – 1st Place – Grief
• Outstanding Creator Awards – 1st Place Children’s Inspirational Book; 1st Place Death, Dying & Grief
• 3rd Place – Best Children’s Book of Spring; 3rd Place – Best Illustrated & Picture Book
• Spring Readers’ Choice Book Awards – Teen – Finalist, 5 Stars
• https://www.readerschoicebookawards.com/spring2022/teen/daryl-mccullough/story-of-tree-and-cloud
About the Author
Daryl McCullough is a writer and marketing communications executive who loves creative expression. He lives in the Los Angeles area with his husband George and their dog Ferdinand. “The Story of Tree and Cloud” is shared in memory of his mother and is his first published book. Maryanne Smith is an artist living and creating artwork in her home of York County, PA. She has spent much of her life capturing nature on canvas; she also enjoyed a career creating artwork and designs for premium wallpaper for York Wallcoverings. She is Daryl’s aunt.