In The Fig Tree, war separates two sides of an island, and a solitary tree brings together two children across the divide, in this touching picture book about peace, community, and forgiveness—written by award-winning author Costantia Manoli and illustrated by Leah Giles.
On the sunny island of Cyprus, a tall and lonely fig tree stands. Her fruit ripens, yet no one comes to share it. Years of fear and division have split the island in two, leaving her in the middle, alone. She remembers the conflict that tore her people apart, but she also remembers the warm days before, when laughter and friendship knew no boundaries.
Yet, with changing seasons comes renewed hope, and the old tree dreams of a future where sharing summer’s first figs might mend those broken bonds.
In this heartwarming picture book by Costantia Manoli, brought to life with Leah Giles’s vibrant illustrations, the shadows of the past give way to a bright future where children put aside fear and distrust to discover that the simple act of sharing can bridge the deepest rifts.

Costantia Manoli's profile page

Leah Giles' profile page

Costantia Manoli, award-winning author of Tomatoes in My Lunchbox, was born in the United Kingdom to Cypriot parents. She spent the picture book period of her life in London contending with a name that even she has difficulty pronouncing in English, and her middle-grade and young adult years in Cyprus, the USA and the UK. She now lives on the outskirts of a hot, dusty village in Cyprus where her two daughters, hubby, lioness-dog Luna and hyperactive doggo Woody keep her busy in a tangle of story ideas, new characters, and constant interruptions.
Leah Giles grew up outside of Toronto, Canada. From an early age, she could be found drawing pigs and superheroes in her dad’s antique books. Leah now resides in a noisy little apartment in Brooklyn, NY, where she splatters paint and collages paper to create stories that celebrate joy. Leah is a fan of all things brightly bold, colorfully collaged, and radically lovely. Most of the time, she can be found with her kitten napping on her shoulder while she draws.