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  • Published: 3 September 2012
  • ISBN: 9781742757421
  • Imprint: Vintage Classic Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 144
  • RRP: $17.99

The Worry Tree




Just because something's not magic doesn't mean it can't be magical...

Just because something's not magic doesn't mean it can't be magical...

Juliet's a worrywart, and no wonder! Her little sister, Oaf, follows her around taking notes and singing 'The Irritating Song' all day long. Her parents are always arguing about Dad's junk. Nana's so tired of craft lessons that she starts barbecuing things in the middle of the night. And Juliet's friends, Lindsay and Gemma, are competing to see which of them is Juliet's best friend. Juliet can't fit in any more worries!

But then she makes a remarkable discovery. Behind the wallpaper in her new bedroom, Juliet uncovers an old painting of a very special tree. Nana remembers it well. It's the Worry Tree, and with the help of a duck called Delia and the other Worry Tree animals, Juliet just might be able to solve some of life's big problems.

  • Published: 3 September 2012
  • ISBN: 9781742757421
  • Imprint: Vintage Classic Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 144
  • RRP: $17.99

About the author

Marianne Musgrove

Marianne Musgrove wrote her first full-length novel at the age of eleven: a romantic thriller featuring her unfortunate classmates. Although the unpublished manuscript met with only localised acclaim, she never gave up her dream of becoming an author. A descendant of King Henry VIII's librarian, you could say books are in her blood! Marianne grew up in Sydney then moved to Adelaide to go to university. There, she studied English (which she loved), law (which she loathed) and social work (which she made her career for several years). Marianne's first children's novel, The Worry Tree, is the winner of the Australian Family Therapists Award for Children's Literature 2008 and has been shortlisted for three other awards. Lucy the Good, Lucy the Lie Detector and Don't Breathe a Word are also available now.

Also by Marianne Musgrove

See all

Praise for The Worry Tree

Winner of the Australian Family Therapists Award for Children's Literature

2008

Shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Best Children's Book

2008

Shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Award for Children's Literature

2008

Shortlisted for the Australian Children's Peace Literature Prize

2007

A beautiful, realistic story of family life, and how a painting in a little girl's room transforms her outlook - and gives her the confidence to deal with all life's little problems and irritations.

ABA Children’s Special Interest Group, Kids’ Reading Guide 2007–2008

This is a delightful book that carefully unravels Juliet's issues and gently empowers her to deal with the problems that have been casing her so much angst... A great general read. Highly recommended.

Reading Time

Musgrove's first novel addresses the kind of anxiety that many children secretly harbour. When worry wart Juliet uncovers the painted Worry Tree in her bedroom wall she finds she can hand her worries over to its kindly animals and enjoy a bit of well-earned peace.

Adelaide Advertiser

Awards & recognition

Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature

Winner  •  2008  •  Family Therapists Award for Children’s Literature

Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature

Shortlisted  •  2008  •  Adelaide Festival Award for Children’s Literature

QLD Premier’s Literary Awards

Shortlisted  •  2008  •  Queensland Premier’s Literary Award