A gentle story about friendship, change, and learning how to say goodbye.
In a peaceful grove, two young trees grow up together, an oak and an apple tree who share laughter, sway in the wind, and spend their days side by side. Life feels simple and certain.
Until one day the apple tree shares difficult news. She must move to a nearby orchard where there is more sunlight so she can grow stronger. For the oak, the news feels sudden and unfair. The idea of her best friend leaving is something she never imagined.
As the days pass, the two friends try to enjoy the time they have left. They laugh, dance in the breeze, and pretend everything is normal, even when it is not.
When the day finally comes to say goodbye, the oak is left standing in the same place, but the grove feels very different. The Tree That Missed Her Friend gently explores the feelings that follow a separation. The oak remembers the good moments with her friend but struggles with the quiet emptiness left behind. The story allows children to see that sadness is natural and that missing someone is a normal part of caring.
Then something unexpected happens. A deer appears carrying an apple, a gift from the apple tree now growing safely in the orchard. The small message brings comfort and reassurance. She is okay. She still remembers.
Soon the deer becomes a messenger between the two trees, carrying apples and small updates back and forth. The oak still misses her friend, but warmth slowly returns to the grove. Over time, a new friendship begins to grow.
This thoughtful story helps children understand:
• Feelings of loss and separation
• The importance of staying connected
• That sadness and happiness can exist together
• How new friendships can grow after change
Perfect for bedtime reading, classrooms, and families navigating moves or changes, The Tree That Missed Her Friend reminds readers that even when someone goes far away, the bonds of friendship can remain strong.
And sometimes that friendship arrives in the simplest way, an apple carried carefully by a deer, right when it is needed most.
M. S. Watkins is the parent of two little ones who know how to keep the ideas flowing. Inspired by the hilarious questions and thoughts of his children, M. S. Watkins turns their imagination into stories filled with laughter, wonder, and adventure. Every book is a celebration of their childhood creativity and shows that the best ideas often come from the tiniest voices.
