The Boy in the Oak von Jessica Albarn

In the garden behind the cottage grows an ancient oak that hides a secret. The young boy who lives in the cottage couldn't care less about the tree and certainly doesn't know it is enchanted. But the faeries soon change this . . . They cast a spell that causes the ancient oak to swallow the boy whole. As the seasons pass, the boy trapped inside begins to experience the world as a tree and regret his cruelty toward nature. But the oak does not let him go. Then a new family with a young girl moves into the cottage. The girl senses magic behind the mystery of the boy who disappeared there many years ago. Will she discover the faeries and what they've done? And, more importantly, will she be able to break the spell?

Jessica Albarn is a fine artist having studied sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking at Middlesex University in London. Inventor of an interactive toy called Brainbow, a finalist at the BFIY awards, Jessica prizes a connection with the magical time of childhood. Experiences and discoveries she made as a child and that of her own children have inspired much of her work. She has exhibited extensively around London and as far out as a 17th century lookout tower on the cliffs of Essex as well as a show at Marmalade Towers in London, in connection with Marmalade magazine. In 2008 she showed in Stokholm which followed a limited edition book, Bee-headed, published by Cederteg Publishing in Sweden. Recently she has collaborated with Modus Design Co., Helmut Lang in Tokyo and Oasis for their Designer Collective collection. Fascinated by nature, Jessica has worked closely with insects and spiders in all of her art, finding the beauty in all creatures, dead or alive. As a child she loved old faerie tales. The Butterfly Ball by Alan Aldridge was her favourite illustrated book. The idea of faeries being both delicate and deadly and, like insects, existing in a world we cohabit formed the basis for her first storybook, The Boy in the Oak. To learn more about Jessica visit www.jessicaalbarn.co.uk.