About the Book
When something precious is lost, how do we learn to carry its memory forward?
In Duke and Toby and the Tree on the Hill, a powerful storm changes the landscape of the homestead in a single night. For Duke and Toby, the loss feels especially deep, because the tree on the hill was not just any tree. It was Toshi's Tree-a place filled with memory, love, and quiet connection to the cat their family lost before coming to the valley.
As the rain passes and life around the homestead continues, Toby struggles to understand how the world can keep moving when something so important is gone. The chickens still scratch in the dirt. The goats still call from the pasture. Morning still comes. To Toby, it feels impossible that ordinary life could continue when his heart feels so changed.
With Duke beside him, Toby begins to ask the difficult questions children often carry after loss. What happens when something you love disappears? Does memory fade? Can a place still matter after it has changed? And how do we honor someone we miss without holding too tightly to what used to be?
Set against the gentle rhythm of homestead life, this heartfelt story follows Duke and Toby through grief, confusion, remembrance, and healing. With the loving presence of Alan and Andrea, and with the quiet wisdom that comes from sitting with sorrow instead of rushing past it, the two dogs begin to discover that love does not live only in one tree, one place, or one moment. Love remains in memory, in the heart, and in the ways we continue to care for what mattered.
Written in a warm, reflective voice, Duke and Toby and the Tree on the Hill is a tender children's story about grief, resilience, family, and hope. It offers a gentle way to talk with children about change, remembrance, and the truth that even after loss, beauty and meaning can still grow again.
This moving addition to the Duke and Toby series is perfect for families who appreciate emotionally rich stories, animal-centered storytelling, and books that help children explore big feelings with comfort, compassion, and grace.
About the Author :
Alain Grandemange is an author, editor, and photographer whose work is rooted in quiet moments, meaningful connections, and the beauty of everyday life. Drawing inspiration from rural living, nature, and the rhythms of home, his stories invite readers to slow down, notice more, and find meaning in simple truths.His children's books are known for their emotional depth, gentle wisdom, and thoughtful storytelling. Rather than offering easy answers, Alain's stories explore empathy, resilience, curiosity, and the importance of presence-encouraging young readers to reflect, feel, and grow alongside the characters. Each book carries a message children need to hear, wrapped in warmth, honesty, and care.As a photographer and visual storyteller, Alain brings a keen eye for detail and atmosphere to his work, often blending words and imagery to create immersive, comforting worlds. Whether writing for children or creating visual art, his goal remains the same: to create work that feels sincere, lasting, and deeply human.Alain lives in rural Virginia, where the landscape, animals, and daily moments of country life continue to shape and inspire his creative work. Alandrea Publishing is an independent publishing house dedicated to creating thoughtful, beautifully crafted books that celebrate presence, connection, and the quiet richness of everyday life. Rooted in a love of storytelling, nature, and meaningful reflection, Alandrea Publishing focuses on work that feels sincere, lasting, and deeply human.The catalog spans children's literature, adult coloring books, and visual storytelling projects, each designed to invite readers to slow down, notice more, and engage with the world in a gentler, more intentional way. For children, Alandrea Publishing produces emotionally resonant stories that emphasize empathy, resilience, curiosity, and kindness-offering lessons that unfold naturally through narrative rather than instruction.In its visual works, including coloring books and photography-based projects, the press emphasizes craftsmanship, atmosphere, and calm-creating spaces for creativity, mindfulness, and quiet joy. Every publication is guided by the belief that books can be both comforting and meaningful, simple yet profound.Based in rural Virginia, Alandrea Publishing draws continual inspiration from the natural landscape, country living, and the small moments that give life its depth. Each book is created with care, intention, and respect for readers of all ages.
