The Cloud, the Bee and the Orange Tree

The story

The Cloud, the Bee and the Orange Tree is a picture book in verse about what happens when someone new arrives and isn't welcomed, and what's lost when they disappear.

Written as rhyming couplets that carry children along at read-aloud pace, it's a story about shrinking yourself to fit. And about discovering, years later, that the very thing you were told to stop doing is exactly what someone else has been waiting for.

Where it came from

I came to the UK from Iran when I was ten. We don't always welcome newcomers. We don't always notice what they bring, or recognise the contribution they're ready to make.

At some point, we all find ourselves as the newcomer. A new school. A new country. A new job. Even a new group of friends. And when the welcome is difficult, the instinct is to retreat. To become quieter, smaller, less visible. To stop raining.

This book asks children, and the adults reading to them, to hold both ideas at once. Welcome others more generously. And when you're the one arriving, don't disappear into a shell.

The weight of clouds :)

I judge every place—every city and every landscape—by its clouds. They change the way I see a location and how I read its story. So, I can genuinely say I am a cloud enthusiast. I also love illustrating, though with a packed calendar, it often feels like a luxury. However, I believe that when a passion becomes more than just a hobby, it deserves its own dedicated slot on the schedule.

I began drawing clouds during a very challenging chapter of my life. It helped me navigate that time and find my way back to feeling amazing. Because of this, I see my art first as a form of therapy.

When you’re struggling, it might feel pointless to start drawing instead of sitting with your difficult feelings. It can feel like you're doing something that isn’t worth the effort; that was exactly how I felt when I started illustrating this story. But it gets better and better.

I began focusing on what I wanted our audience to feel. How should our main character be perceived? How should they express their emotions?

The camera

To keep the journey engaging, I’ve played with the "camera lens," shifting from long shots to close-ups to ensure the visual rhythm is never boring.

Our primary audience is children, followed by their parents and caregivers. I want children to look at these illustrations and discover their own story before they even hear the words. For the adults, I want the art to awaken their inner child.

The story itself has a lovely rhyme and a sweet core, so the visuals must be a perfect f it to complete the journey. The cloud, the bee, and the orange tree all helped me step out of my comfort zone and begin a new chapter. They helped me overcome challenges and start feeling the beauty of life again.

Like the cloud in this story, I have been transformed by finishing this book :)