Cadi & The Cursed Oak

by Kara Gebhart Uhl and Elin Manon

One day in Dolgellau, a small town in Wales, a girl named Cadi finds a silver cup with an oak sleeve turned in the shape of an acorn. The cup is enchanted with stories of the spirits and when she drinks from the cup, Cadi drinks them all in as well.

So begins “Cadi & the Cursed Oak,” a magical children’s book by Kara Gebhart Uhl, the Managing Editor of Lost Art Press, with illustrations by Elin Manon. The book draws inspiration from the Nannau oak (a tree long considered cursed by its association with a 15th century murder committed by Owain Glyndwr, a Welsh nationalist and mentioned by Charles Hayward) and the adventures of Chris Williams, a Welsh stick chairmaker, and his daughter Alice. (Like Chris, Cadi’s father is a Welsh chairmaker.)

What can a child do with complex and scary stories? “The worst thing you can do,” Cadi’s grandmother tells her, “is hide a story that needs to be told.” But sometimes, her grandmother adds later, “Sometimes the only way to lighten the load is to share them.”

Cadi & the Cursed Oak’s story will appeal to all ages, though the sometimes spooky topics might unnerve young children. The artwork and themes will enchant anyone connected to craft, folklore and the natural world.
Like all Lost Art Press books, Cadi & the Cursed Oak is beautifully made, printed on durable brilliant white 80# coated paper and clothbound with a sewn binding. 8.5” x 11”. Hardcover and wrapped in a cotton-linen blend dark blue cloth cover with a matte white foil stamp, hand-lettered by Nicholas Moegly. It is produced and printed in the United States.

Pages: 48
Binding: HC
Publisher: Lost Art Press