Hazel’s Treehouse by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Judy Watson

Hazel’s Treehouse

by Zanni Louise &

illustrated by Judy Watson

Walker Books (Australia)

“‘What’s today?’ asks Odette, sitting up stretching.

‘Sunday,’ says Hazel with a yawn. Poky lies on her chest. This morning, Poky is the colour of mandarins and sunsets. It’s a warm and snuggly colour for an echidna.” (Hazel’s Treehouse)

The pairing of Zanni Louise and Judy Watson in Hazel’s Treehouse is inspired. Both creators enhance the timeless appeal of the story, the tree and treehouse itself, the lovely characters and even how Poky the echidna, changes colour according to how he feels. Children will love this book and adults will love sharing this stunningly produced gift-book with them.

It’s gentle, comforting tone and sensory, lyrical writing reminds me of Glenda Millard’s Kingdom of Silk series – but for younger children. Hazel’s Treehouse is one of my favourite junior books of recent times, alongside Peter Carnavas’s Leo and Ralph.

Guest Author Post by Zanni Louise for Paperbark Words blog about Hazel’s Treehouse

Can you remember weaving stories when you were kid? I grew up on a farm in regional New South Wales and have a really clear visual memory of the old olive tree I used to sit in when I was little. Its branches made a cave, where I spent countless hours telling myself stories. I remember the characters so clearly — the family of bears, the king, the fairy.

Stories were how I got to know the world and how I kept myself busy. I’d traipse around the bush surrounding our property pretending to be Dot from Dot and the Kangaroo, or Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh.

When I could write, Dad brought home a typewriter and I banged out stories on A4 paper to bring into school to share with my friends. Growing up, I’d write plays, luring my brothers in to play roles. Or would write silly scripts for home movies.

Like a lot of adults, I meandered into other things, but stories called me back once I had kids. Pushing the pram to keep Baby asleep, my mind returned to its old ways; weaving stories, making up characters. It felt like coming home. And I knew that making stories was what I needed to do when I grew up.

It’s easy to get pulled into the business of making stories; the publishing side of things, marketing your book, visiting schools … As your career develops, your author responsibilities ramp up. And every now and then, you wonder, “Am I writing enough?”

During Covid times, we lost our home in the rental crisis, and my family had to live itinerantly for several months. We were staying at a friend’s “treehouse” that January. I’d started reading a lot and writing more for fun. One morning, I woke with some voices in my head. Sweet, cheery voices; characters who lived in an old tree in regional Australia.

Hang on, there was something familiar about this. I kept listening, then got up with the sun to scribble the conversations on lined notepaper.

That became the first story in Hazel’s Treehouse, illustrated by Judy Watson and published by Walker Books in 2024.

Hazel is nine and lives in a tree with her animal friends. There’s no explanation about why or where her parents are. She just does.

Odette is an enthusiastic pademelon, Walter is a grumpy wombat, Tiny is a sweet honey possum and Poky is a ‘feelings echidna’ who changes colour depending on Hazel’s mood. This morning, Poky’s the colour of mandarins and sunsets. It’s a warm and snuggly colour for an echidna. Hazel is a human child.

Hazel and her friends get up to little adventures; they attempt to go to the beach, search for glamorous outfits for a ball, try to make the perfect Christmas.

The adventures often go awry, but ultimately the friends learn that friendship, collaboration and imagination will take you anywhere.

Hazel’s Treehouse is my ode to Winnie the Pooh but also to the little me who spent hours in a tree with her imaginary friends. It’s my love letter to the Australian bush and its wildlife. It’s the story I wrote with absolutely no one looking over my shoulder. I wrote it simply because it gave me pure and utter joy.

Award-winning illustrator Judy Watson, though, really brought the stories to life. Her illustrations are above and beyond anything I could have imagined. The way Hazel tucks her hair behind her ears. The spread of food and flowers on the outdoor table under the tree. The tower of vintage teacups. The characters’ sweet expressions. And for every chapter title, Judy’s illustrated an Australian wildflower and written the botanical name next to it. I couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful book.

Hazel’s Treehouse came into the world the day Trump was elected into the States. While red washed the map of America, I held my breath for the future. But I glanced up at the kids’ sweet faces as they listened to me reading Hazel and I thought, The world needs sweet stories too. It needs warm and cosy places to retreat to. This book is my cosy place and I hope it’ll be a comforting place for kids.

I’m a big believer in classic books. I have all my old classics, The Secret Garden, The Muddle Headed Wombat, Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie … A shelf of them. Many of these volumes were my parents’ or my grandparents’ and I’m sure they helped me become a reader and a writer.

At the launch, I showed the kids my copy of Winnie the Pooh which my grandma gave me when I turned six. One little girl came up to me with her copy of Hazel’s Treehouse and asked me to sign it because she wanted to give it to her grandchild when she got old. My goodness.

I hope wherever you are in the world, you have a cosy book to retreat to. And maybe it’ll also stay with you for a lifetime.

Hazel’s Treehouse at Walker Books Australia

Zanni Louise’s website

Judy Watson’s website

Zanni Louise about Cora Seen and Heard at PaperbarkWords

Florence and Fox by Zanni Louise and Anna Pignataro at PaperbarkWords

Judy Watson about When You’re Older at PaperbarkWords

Judy Watson and Lesley Gibbs about Searching for Cicadas at PaperbarkWords