The Peach King by Inga Simpson. Illus. by Tannya Harricks

The glorious peach cover of The Peach King will entice readers to engage with this contemporary fable written as a picture book. It is a striking narrative that will resonate with readers both young and old, and tells the story of the Araluen Peach King, standing tall, proud and gnarled overlooking and protecting the orchard of mature trees and young saplings. This story is based on a true happening during the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-2020 experienced by author Inga Simpson.

As the Little Peach Tree grows they notice the changes in the seasons. The hot dry winds, the grasshoppers, the rain, the blossoms budding on their branches, the fruit so red and fuzzy, the autumn leaves, the bare branches feeling the cold until spring arrives again. The young sapling growing taller and stronger notices how the rain is less, the air is hotter, the ground is drier. When fire comes, who will survive, the mighty Peach King or the Little Peach Tree?

The illustrations in this book are a visual delight from start to finish and leave the reader with incredible images of the trees before and after the devastating fire. Of the community picking each peach before the trees were overcome. Of the birds and animals fleeing, and the Peach King trying to still the wind. All was seemingly lost until the Little Peach Tree encouraged the other peach trees to find their voices and sing the wind around. While The Peach King did not survive, the Little Peach Tree did and the cycle of new growth will begin again.  

This is a powerful story that provides hope that not all is lost when fire ravages the land. That the flora and fauna will live on. A special book for all school and public libraries. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Peach Trees, Fire, Black Summer Bushfires, Australian Bush, Seasons, Cycles in Nature, Fables.

Kathryn Beilby