An interview about the Art & Oakie Ask series sponsored by Oak Tree Comics, presented by The Children’s Book Review.
A Conversation with Josh Oaktree: Where Empathy, Nature, and Storytelling Intertwine
In a world often filled with noise and disconnection, Josh Oaktree’s journey reminds us of the power of listening—to ourselves, to each other, and to the natural world around us. Through his Art & Oakie Ask series of wordless picture books, Josh invites readers of all ages to consider what it truly means to “speak Tree” and stand up for our environment.
In this interview, Josh shares how personal communication challenges in his childhood, combined with the isolation of the pandemic, led him to create stories where actions speak louder than words. As he reveals the inspiration behind his characters and his creative process, we discover how art can bridge divides, foster empathy, and remind us that every voice—whether human or from nature itself—deserves to be heard.
Tell us a little bit about the inspiration for the books. What made you decide to write picture books to raise awareness about conservation?
Josh Oaktree (JO): I wish my answer were something fun, like: One day, I was walking in the woods when I saw…
A walking-talking oak tree?!
But, no, my writer’s journey was much more tethered to reality. During the pandemic, I was wondering about my voice and impact as a storyteller. My projects as a screenwriter were on hold, and I didn’t know what to do. It was in that climate of Covid’s overwrought anxiety, confusion, and self-reflection that I decided to write my first children’s book—also, to independently publish it. In June of 2020, I founded Oak Tree Comics, an independent children’s book publisher where imagination meets environmentalism.
A lot of introspection occurred before I found the right story idea. I’ve always loved being in nature. At the time, I was hiking even more than usual because Covid forced everyone outdoors. I was also doing a lot of thinking about the climate crisis and how speaking up for the environment can feel so overwhelming. I knew I wanted my stories to inspire the next generation to enjoy and love nature.
One day, my mom asked me, “Do you speak Tree?” It was a perfect title! Those four words spoke to my self-doubt, “Do I…? Am I doing enough?”, and they spoke to my longing to be hopeful, “Yes, I do speak Tree! In fact, if we all speak up together, we can make a difference!”
Once I had a title, the visual of Oakie the good-natured oak tree on an adventure to save the forest sprung up rather naturally. (Thanks, Mom!)
By any chance, is Oakie based on you?
JO: What a fun question! Oakie and I do have a lot in common. We both love being outdoors.
Like Oakie, I also find communicating can be challenging. When I was a kid, people had trouble understanding me. I took speech therapy until first grade. In Do You Speak Tree?, no one understands Oakie until an imaginative first-grader named Art enters the story.
Of course, Oakie and I are also very different. Oakie photosynthesizes while I get sunburnt if I’m in the sun for too long. Oakie also doesn’t mind bugs crawling everywhere while I do. I’m thankful that Oakie has taken on a life of their own. Writing stories about Art and Oakie has reinforced my love for nature while reinvigorating my voice as a storyteller.
Is there a real-life inspiration for Art and her school friends?
JO: Yes! Although Art isn’t based on of any one person, it’s no coincidence that Art and her friends are the heroes of the story. In Do You Speak Tree?, they rally around Oakie, in protesting the forest’s destruction. That was inspired by real events.
In 2018, fifteen-year-old Greta Thunberg protested the government’s failure to address climate change. Her activism inspired an international movement known as Fridays for Future where students spend their Fridays protesting climate inaction instead of going to school. As an outside observer, I took pride in seeing how students inspired real-life environmental change. I wanted to reflect that reality in the story.
One of the most unique features of this series is the wordless delivery – can you tell us more about that decision? Why did you choose to avoid text, and was it hard to create a story using only pictures?
JO: From the get-go, I knew I wanted speaking Tree to be a fun visual analogy that would represent how our actions can speak louder than our words.
In Do You Speak Tree?, only the CEO who’s clear-cutting the forest gets any speaking dialogue. (Because he doesn’t get how his actions are harming the environment.)
Meanwhile, everyone else learns from Oakie how to speak Tree. Instead of dialogue, their speech bubbles overflow with lush comic book imagery that celebrates nature. The sequels (Do You Speak Bear? and Do You Speak Bee?) follow a similar format, where only the antagonist speaks.
The creation of the books was so fun because it was so collaborative. All three books are illustrated by Josiane Vlitos, who’s such a talent! The creative team includes myself as the writer, Josiane as the illustrator, and my cousin Amelia Boscov, who is the books’ creative director.
There were four stages in the creative process. First, I wrote the manuscript. Then, Josiane created a thumbnail outline, followed by ink and color artwork. In between each step of the creative process, all three team members contributed ideas to make the story better and better. It definitely was challenging to make the visual narrative as clear as it is, but I’m so proud of the books and of our teamwork. I’m still amazed that a toddler can pick up any Art & Oakie Ask adventure and read it on their own.
What lesson would you like readers to remember about communication after reading this story?
JO: If you feel unheard, please know that there are people who care and who want to hear your story. Also, remember to listen—both to the people and to the natural world around you. Once you feel ready, in whatever ways you feel comfortable, speak up for the environment through your actions.
Now more than ever, we need people like you to speak up for our natural world. I believe humanity’s connection to nature is a universal language we all share. It harms us all when we silence or politicize nature—because nature’s voice is intrinsically linked to our own well-being and happiness.
The teachers in the story are not always sympathetic to the needs of the children and the creatures. Do you think that nature can help children learn how to communicate their needs to adults – or possibly children can help nature communicate its needs to adults – or both? Why do you think that might be?
JO: In all three books, the adults are always a step behind the students in learning the story’s lesson. I think that’s because children, in real life, are more curious about nature than the average adult.
Some of the first words children learn are the names of animals, so it only makes sense that children would love nature as much as they do. As we get older, our vocabulary expands, extracurricular interests vie for our attention, and our connection with nature is given less space in our lives.
Or, often, that’s how it plays out.
Children have this amazing ability to remind us of nature’s wonder. They also do a great job of reminding us that we are animals.
The other day, my niece insisted that her grandpa be a “sad dog.” (She’s almost two.) When he barked like a happy dog, she said, “No!” So, he whimpered and howled at an imaginary moon, until it was my turn to be a dog. Thankfully, she let me be a happy one. That’s one example I can think of where nature helped a child communicate her needs. In this instance, her need was to play. Also, to be with her family of playful animals.
Art—the character and the visual expression of art as we know it—plays an essential role in the story. What do you think is the role of art in communication?
JO: I value art for so many reasons, but especially for its ability to inspire empathy.
In Do You Speak Tree?, Art the character is the first person who takes the time to listen to Oakie. When she draws Oakie’s story, it inspires her class, with help from the community, to replant the forest.
In the sequels, Art’s creativity, again, helps her understand the needs of nature and to come up with ideas to help it.
For me, the act of being creative helps me understand myself and the world around me better.
In addressing the climate crisis, I believe empathy is key. If we take the time to care how climate change impacts communities outside of our own, and if we allow our creativity to inspire new ideas, we may just innovate solutions to make our world a more sustainable and happier place, or so I hope.
What advice do you have for readers struggling to communicate their needs to others?
JO: I know I said this earlier, but, again, please know that there are people who care about your voice and who want to hear your story.
For me, creative self-expression is an outlet that makes me feel fulfilled and allows me to share my joy with the world. If being creative is something you enjoy, too, I encourage you to follow your creativity. Write. Draw. Create. Not all art needs to be shared, as the playfulness of being creative has its own merit, but I hope being creative will allow yourself and others to understand you better. Because you matter. Your story matters.
What other favorite nature stories would you recommend to readers who have enjoyed the Art and Oakie story?
JO: I have so many to recommend! In March, I’m actually presenting a panel on Environmentalism and Wordless Picture Books at the Charlotte Huck Festival for Children’s Literature. As part of the panel, I’m sharing some of my favorite environmentally-inspired wordless picture books, including:
- The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer and Mariachiara Di Giorgio
- Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
- Where’s the Elephant? by Barroux
- The Tree and The River by Aaron Becker
- Hike by Pete Oswald
If you’re looking for another wordless graphic novel series, Andy Runton’s Owly and Wormy is adorable.
Also, goodness, I love Big Tree by Brian Selznik. It’s an epic story about a brave seed on an adventure to save the forest. Also, Odder by Katherine Applegate. And so many more!
What comes next – will there be more Art and Oakie stories?
JO: One day, I’d love for there to be a shelf full of Art and Oakie books. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For our next picture book, Josiane and I are embarking on a new adventure. Until we’re further along in the creative process, I can only share so much, but here’s a hint:
Our next book will speak to themes of environmental stewardship, in taking care of our planet, while being… out-of-this-world!
About the Series
The Art and Oakie series is a wonderfully interactive, fun, and challenging new way to think about reading. It serves as an excellent starting point for conversations about nature, sparking engaging and thoughtful discussions about the environment and our role in it.
The Children’s Book Review
Written by Josh Oaktree
Illustrated by Josiane Vlitos
Ages 4+ | 56 Pages
Publisher: Oak Tree Comics (2021) | ISBN-13: 978-1-954754-02-7
Publisher’s Summary: If a tree falls and no one around cares, what do you do? Oakie the good-natured oak tree goes on an adventure to find help. Will Oakie save the forest? That all depends…
Do You Speak Tree?
You’ll love this nearly wordless graphic novel for kids.
For every book sold, whether print or digital, your book purchase plants a tree with One Tree Planted, a non-profit 501(c)(3).
Buy the Book
Written by Josh Oaktree
Illustrated by Josiane Vlitos
Ages 4+ | 72 Pages
Publisher: Oak Tree Comics (2023) | ISBN-13: 978-1-954754-04-1
Publisher’s Summary: From the creators of Do You Speak Tree? comes an un-fur-gettable sequel!
Do You Speak Bear? continues Art & Oakie’s adventures as they speak up for all the animals who call the forest home. Its nearly wordless graphic novel format makes speaking up for the environment universal and fun for everyone.
Buy the Book
Written by Josh Oaktree
Illustrated by Josiane Vlitos
Ages 4+ | 64 Pages
Publisher: Oak Tree Comics (2024) | ISBN-13: 978-1-954754-07-2
Publisher’s Summary: What’s the buzz? Art and Oakie’s third adventure is now here!
THE STORY: In Do You Speak Bee?, Oakie befriends a colony of bees only to find out that Art is scared of them. To help Art overcome her fears, Oakie invites the bees into the school to teach Art’s class. When Art learns how bees pollinate the fruits and vegetables we eat, what will she do? Can Art and Oakie help save the bees?
Buy the Book
About the Author
Josh Oaktree is the founder and managing director of Oak Tree Comics, an independent children’s book publisher where imagination meets environmentalism. His books include the young reader series Art & Oakie Ask and the middle-grade books Thorn the Unicorn and The Weird Animal Hour. When not writing, Josh enjoys being out and about in nature, trail running and rock climbing. He lives in sunny California.
You can learn more about Josh and his stories on the Oak Tree Comics website: www.oaktreecomics.com.
About the Illustrator
Josiane Vlitos is an illustrator hailing from beautiful Prince Edward Island. She studied Communicated Design and worked as a graphic designer before finding her one true love, illustration. Her work is rooted in her English childhood: exploring castles, building forts and beach combing. She adores bright palettes, cheeky characters and magical worlds. In her work, she strives to spread joy and spark positive change — whether by fostering a sense of inclusion, promoting sustainability, or encouraging self-love. When she’s not illustrating, you can find her with a nose in a book, scouring beaches for treasure, or generally with her head in the clouds and a biscuit in hand. She lives in Charlottetown with her husband, daughter and rabbit.
You can follow Josiane Vlitos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josianevlitos
This interview—An Interview with Josh Oaktree, Author of The ‘Art & Oakie Ask’ Series—was conducted between Josh Oaktree and Dr. Jen Harrison.
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