Just released...
Way down south in the Florida Keys
Above the ocean lives a tree...
Meet Fred. If you've ever driven down the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys, you've probably noticed him. He's the big Australian pine growing out of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. He's defied the odds - surviving the harsh Florida sun, the salty ocean air, and several hurricanes who have tried to uproot him. Fred isn't just impressive, he's also a local hero. When Keys residents returned home after Hurricane Irma and saw that Fred had survived her category 4 strength, they were reminded that they could survive too.
Fred the Tree, the book
Written and illustrated by Leigh Guest in 2019, 'Fred the Tree' tells the story of Florida's most beloved tree. When Hurricane Irma ripped the Keys apart, Fred reminded his friends that they were 'Key's Strong'.
Coming November 2025...
Fred the Tree,
A Friend Who Stays
In the sequel, we are reintroduced to Florida's favorite tree. Fred has friends from far and wide - the children in cars on the new bridge, the birds overhead, and the fish and sharks that swim by in the sea. Unfortunately, all of Fred's friends have one thing in common. They all pass by, leaving Fred wishing he had a friend who would stay.
