Charlotte Voake’s illustrated rendition of “The Green Leaves Grew Around,” a traditional folk song known in variant forms far and wide (such as “The Green Grass Grows All Around”), features tender, blithe watercolor and ink illustrations awash in pale green leaves. The large tree that is the scene of the action features a branch, a bird, a nest, and eggs that hatch into hungry baby birds, all of which is detailed in the cumulative verse that will have young listeners joining in with gusto. Although not referenced in the lyrics, the scampering squirrels, two young children, and tiny cat pictured in the illustrations add additional charm and whimsy to the volume. The entire cast becomes a chorus on the endpaper, which shows them all gathered around a piano singing to the music, for which musical notation is also provided. (Ages 2–5)

The award-winning creator of Hello Twins offers a joyous celebration of nature as it springs to life.

Come into the woods, where the green leaves grow around and around and where, high in the branches, a nest is full of cheeping birds. With radiant, expressive artwork, Charlotte Voake captures the essence of a forest as it comes alive in the spring, illustrating a simple text based on the traditional song "The Green Grass Grew All Around." Includes a musical score to inspire musicians of all ages.